China retaliates after US, EU, UK and Canada impose sanctions

In a coordinated effort, US, European Union, Britain and Canada have imposed sanctions on Chinese officials for human rights abuses in Xinjiang. In a statement, ahead of meetings with EU and NATO ministers in Brussels, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, amid growing international condemnation, China continues to commit genocide and crimes against humanity in Xinjiang. Canada’s foreign ministry said, mounting evidence points to systemic, state-led human rights violations by Chinese authorities. 
European Union was the first to impose sanctions on Monday on four Chinese officials, including a top security director, and one entity, a decision that was mirrored by Britain and Canada later in the day.

UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said the treatment of Uighurs amounted to appalling violations of the most basic human rights. The sanctions, including travel bans and asset freezes, target senior officials in Xinjiang who have been accused of serious human rights violations against Uighur Muslims.The EU sanctions are the first significant economic penalties it has placed on China since 1989, when Beijing was cited for its violent crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in Tiananmen Square. Human rights advocates say about 1 million Uyghurs are being held in camps. Some accuse Beijing of torture, forced sterilization and forced labor.  China maintains its actions in Xinjiang are to root out Islamic extremism.   

China's Foreign Ministry responded immediately after the first sanctions were announced, denouncing them as "based on nothing but lies and disinformation." China then announced its own sanctions against 10 European individuals and four institutions, saying they had "maliciously spread lies and disinformation." Those sanctioned included five members of the European Parliament. China maintains its actions in Xinjiang are to root out Islamic extremism.  Zhang Ming, China's ambassador to the EU, said that sanctions would not impact Beijing's policies and warned of retaliation. "We want dialogue, not confrontation. We ask the EU side to think twice. If some insist on confrontation, we will not back down, as we have no options other than fulfilling our responsibilities to the people in our country," he said.