The tit-for-tat sanctions on Tuesday added to spiralling tension over Xinjiang, where over a million minority Muslim Uighurs are believed to have been forced into reeducation camps.The chairwoman and three members of the US panel are barred from visiting mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau, and any assets they have in the country will be frozen, foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said.
Zhao identified those targeted as Chairwoman Nadine Maenza, Deputy Chairman Nury Turkel and members Anurima Bhargava and James Carr. Zhao gave no indication whether they have assets in China.
China threatened to retaliate after the US Treasury announced sanctions on December 10 on two officials accused of involvement in the repression of Uighurs. Beijing is accused of mass detentions, forced abortions and other human rights abuses.
“The United States should withdraw the so-called sanctions and stop interfering in Xinjiang’s affairs and China’s internal affairs,” Zhao said. “China will make further responses in accordance with the development of the situation.”
