China announces Sanctions on British Individuals & entities

China has announced sanctions on relevant British individuals and entities on March 26, 2021.

Highlights

As per the statement of Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, United Kingdom had imposed unilateral sanctions on relevant Chinese individuals and entity citing human rights issues in Xinjiang. So, this move by China is based on lies and disinformation. As per the official statement from China, sanctions on relevant Chinese individuals breaches international law and basic norms which governs international relations. It also interferes in internal affairs of China and undermines the bilateral relation of China & UK.

China’s Sanction

Chinese Foreign Ministry has summoned British Ambassador to China for solemn representations after expressing its opposition and strong condemnation. China has decided to sanction nine individuals and four entities from UK side who maliciously spread lies and disinformation.

What are the implications of sanction?

Following the Chinese sanctions, nine individuals and their immediate family members have been prohibited from entering Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Macao of China. Property of Individuals in China will also be frozen. Chinese citizens and institutions would not be able to do business with them. Further, China has reserved the right to take more measures.

Why China Sanctioned the individuals?

China has announced sanctions on British individuals to safeguard its national sovereignty, development interests, security. China has also warned UK side to not go further down to wrong path.

What is the issue with Xinjiang?

United Kingdom had sanctioned Chinese Individuals citing the human rights violation with respect to Beijing’s treatment of Uyghur Muslims. UK had alleged that; China represses Uyghurs who are predominantly Muslim ethnic minority living in the western region of Xinjiang. As per an estimate, 2 million Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities have passed to the detention centres where they were subjected to forced Labour, Torture, political indoctrination, and sexual abuse.

Month: Current Affairs - March, 2021