Joe Biden warned China will 'strike back' after Beijing fury at 'reckless' US sanctions

Speaking on Tuesday, China’s foreign ministry spokesperson, Wang Wenbin accused the US of pursuing “perverse actions” against the state. Amid a backdrop of tense relations between China and the US, Wang claimed the sanctions will not stop Beijing’s development of Xinjiang. He also accused the US of attempting to interfere in China’s internal affairs in a furious attack on Monday.

Asked on the sanctions relating to the human rights situation in Xinjiang, Wang said: “Based on lies and disinformation, the US once again imposed sanctions on relevant Chinese individuals and entity by citing so-called human rights issues in Xinjiang.

“This act seriously interferes in China’s internal affairs, gravely violates basic norms governing international relations and seriously damages China-US relations.

“China firmly opposes and strongly condemns this.”

On Friday, the US President issued sanctions against companies and people related to allegations of human rights violations against Uyghur Muslims in the Xinjiang province.

The US Treasury also added Chinese artificial intelligence company, SenseTime to the list, and accused it of being able to determine a target’s ethnicity, specifically ethnic minorities.

The measures come as the latest raft of sanctions which coincided with Mr Biden’s two-day virtual summit for democracy.

Wang added: “Xinjiang-related affairs are purely China’s internal affairs.

“Xinjiang’s development achievements are there for all to see, and China’s policy on Xinjiang has won widespread support.

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“The US has no right or qualification to point fingers or interfere arbitrarily.

“The so-called sanctions by the US fully expose its sinister intention of using Xinjiang to contain China and the hypocritical nature of its pursuit of hegemony in the name of democracy and human rights.

“The US should know that the Chinese government is firmly committed to safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests, cracking down on violent, terrorist, separatist and religious extremist forces, and opposing any external interference in Xinjiang affairs and China’s other internal affairs.

“The retrogressive acts of the US will not undermine the overall development of Xinjiang, stop China’s progress, or reverse the development of history. 

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“We urge the US to immediately revoke its wrong decisions and stop moves that interfere in China’s internal affairs and undermine China’s interests.

“If the US insists on having its way, China will take strong countermeasures in response.”

China has rejected any accusations of persecuting ethnic minority groups, although US officials said many had been detained or imprisoned in internment camps.

Relations with China have remained strained since Mr Biden took office.

Like his predecessor, Mr Biden has warned of China’s military build-up in the South China Sea and its plans to reclaim Taiwan.

Last week, the US announced a diplomatic boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.

The UK and Australia have also announced they will follow the US in boycotting the Winter Olympics.

source: express.co.uk