Beijing/Washington DC: Justifying its sanctions on US commissioners, China today claimed its move was “in accordance with law, which are completely justified moves to defend sovereignty, security and development interests”.
Yesterday, the US Secretary of State Antony J Blinken had claimed that China’s sanctions last month on four U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) commissioners, including Chair Nadine Maenza, Vice Chair Nury Turkel, and Commissioners Anurima Bhargava and James W. Carr, constituted “yet another PRC [People’s Republic of China] affront against universal rights”.
China had previously sanctioned three other current or former USCIRF commissioners, in addition to dozens of current or former U.S. officials and organizations “promoting democracy and respect for human rights around the world”. Blinken said all these sanctions were without merit, and stated, “We remain undeterred by these actions, and we stand in solidarity with USCIRF and its staff. The United States is committed to defending human rights around the world and will continue to use all diplomatic and economic tools to promote accountability.”
Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin, though shifted the blame on the US, claiming that over the past few years, the US, under the disguise of democracy, human rights and religion, imposed unilateral sanctions on dozens of Chinese officials and several entities pursuant to its domestic legislation on issues concerning China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity such as Xinjiang and Hong Kong, all of which are “without merit”.
Wenbin claimed that these acts interfered in China’s internal affairs and “gravely” harmed China’s interests.”We will continue to take all necessary measures to safeguard our national sovereignty, dignity and legitimate interests,” he asserted.
Blinken though had stated that Beijing’s continued attempts to intimidate and silence those speaking out for human rights “only contribute to the growing international scrutiny of the ongoing genocide and crimes against humanity in Xinjiang”.
“The United States again calls on the PRC to cease its acts of transnational repression, including coercive practices of imprisoning and denying freedom of movement to family members of Uyghur American activists, including individuals serving the American people. These acts undermine the international rules-based order,” Blinken had said. He had stated that the US supported and stood with those “who speak out on behalf of human rights and fundamental freedoms, including freedom of religion or belief”.
Wenbin, however, said that the allegations of “genocide and crimes against humanity in Xinjiang are lies of the century fabricated by some individuals in the US”.
He accused the US side of creating rumours to malign China, tarnish China’s image and contain its development, but their conspiracy will not succeed.
– global bihari bureau
