An argument over allegations of human rights violations in China got worse as Beijing retaliated against individuals in the US and Canada and corporate repercussions spread.
Tensions flared over reports that forced labor is used to harvest cotton in China’s western Xinjiang province, accusations that Beijing routinely dismisses as politically motivated lies.
Hennes & Mauritz AB stores are in parts of China The closure by their landlords after the Swedish fashion store’s comments about Xinjiang led to an unofficial boycott. Japanese brands Muji and Uniqlo got involved in the feud this week while based in Oregon From Nike Inc. shares sank as investors feared the potential impact on its Chinese operations.
On Saturday, China’s State Department announced sanctions against a Canadian legislator and parliamentary human rights committee, as well as the heads of the US Commission for International Religious Freedom, known as USCIRF. The committee came earlier in the week praised coordinated sanctions against Chinese officials by the US, Canada and European countries for China’s treatment of its ethnic Uyghur minority in Xinjiang.
‘Fingers burned’
The Chinese measures were taken in response to sanctions announced a week ago by the US and Canada that were “based on rumors and disinformation,” the State Department said in a statement posted on its website. The Chinese government is “determined” to safeguard its national sovereignty, security and development interests, and urges stakeholders to “clearly understand the situation and correct their mistakes,” he said.
The controversy over Xinjiang is contributing to a wider stalemate between China and the US and its allies that took root under Donald Trump and hardened under the Biden administration. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has described China as the “greatest geopolitical test” in the world.
China sanctioned European politicians and a think tank this week, including a German and a French Member of the European Parliament and a former leader of Britain’s ruling Conservative Party.
Sanctions announced Saturday target USCIRF Chairman Gayle Manchin, wife of Democratic Senator Joe Manchin; USCIRF Vice President Tony Perkins; Canadian Member of Parliament Michael Chong; and the Subcommittee on International Human Rights of the Canadian Parliament.
“They must stop political manipulation of Xinjiang-related issues, stop meddling in China’s internal affairs in any form, and refrain from further down the wrong path,” said the State Department. “Otherwise they will burn their fingers.”
Those involved are prohibited from entering China, Hong Kong and Macau, while Chinese citizens and institutions are prohibited from doing business with them or having any exchange with the commission.
China’s previous sanctions against US individuals “who have seriously undermined China’s sovereignty and interests in Xinjiang-related issues” remain in effect, the ministry said.
– With the help of Charles Capel and Jacob Gu