Two local MPs are among a group of parliamentarians and British institutions that have been sanctioned by China in response to similar moves by the UK over the treatment of people in Xinjiang.
Nusrat Ghani, the member for Wealden, and Tonbridge MP Tom Tugendhat are among nine people and four British institutions 'that maliciously spread lies and disinformation' the Chinese state has said, banning the individuals from visiting the region
It comes after Britain, the US, Canada and the European Union on Monday slapped sanctions on Chinese officials deemed responsible for human rights abuses in the country’s autonomous north-west territory.
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab announced a package of travel bans and asset freezes against four senior officials and the state-run Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps Public Security Bureau (XPCC PSB).
The Foreign Secretary said the abuse of the Uighur Muslims in Xinjiang was 'one of the worst human rights crises of our time' and the international community 'cannot simply look the other way'.
But China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement early on Friday that the move by Mr Raab was 'based on nothing but lies and disinformation, flagrantly breaches international law and basic norms governing international relations, grossly interferes in China’s internal affairs, and severely undermines China-UK relations'.
Mr Duncan Smith, Tory MP Neil O’Brien, Lord David Alton, Conservative MPs Tim Loughton and Nusrat Ghani, Labour’s Baroness Helena Kennedy, barrister Geoffrey Nice, Joanne Nicola Smith Finley, and chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Tom Tugendhat were the individuals sanctioned.
The groups were the China Research Group, the Conservative Party Human Rights Commission, Uyghur Tribunal and Essex Court Chambers.
“As of today, the individuals concerned and their immediate family members are prohibited from entering the mainland, Hong Kong and Macao of China, their property in China will be frozen, and Chinese citizens and institutions will be prohibited from doing business with them,” the ministry said, adding it “reserves the right to take further measures”.
The ministry also said it had summoned the UK’s ambassador to China, Caroline Wilson, 'to lodge solemn representations, expressing firm opposition and strong condemnation'.
Wealden MP, Nusrat Ghani, told the Today programme that she would not be 'intimidated' by the Chinese state.
She said: “This is a wake-up call for all democratic countries and lawmakers that we will not be able to conduct our day-to-day business without China sanctioning us for just attempting to expose what’s happening in Xinjiang and the abuse against the Uighurs.
“To sanction MPs who are just doing their jobs here in the UK is extraordinary.
“I know I won’t be intimidated, this has now made me feel even more determined to speak about the Uighur.”
In announcing his sanctions on Monday, Mr Raab told the Commons state control in Xinjiang is systemic.
“Over a million people have been detained without trial, there are widespread claims of torture and rape in the camps, based on first-hand survivor testimony,” he said.
“I’m sure the whole House will join me in condemning such appalling violations of the most basic human rights.”
The EU had earlier announced its own sanctions, with Beijing responding by denouncing them as “based on nothing but lies and disinformation” and targeting its own measures at 10 individuals – including five MEPS – and four institutions.
The timing of Mr Raab’s announcement came as the Government was under pressure to take a tougher stance on Beijing.
The Government faced a potential Tory revolt with backbenchers prepared to support an amendment to the Trade Bill aimed at preventing ministers signing a deal with countries involved in genocide.
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