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US Condemned CCP's Sanctions on the US and Canadian Officials and Organisations: Beijing Tried to Intimidate to Silence the International Society

The sanctions between China, Europe and the US due to Xinjiang human rights issues become more intense. Ministry of Foreign Affairs in China announced the sanction to two American religious people and two Canadian representatives. US Secretary of State Antony John Blinken replied that Beijing's behaviours were aiming to silence all people who spoke for basic human rights and freedom, reiterating that the US, Canada and the European Union would not withdraw.

The statement of Blinken condemned that the CCP's sanction on the two American The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom(USCIRF) officials was not reasonable, obviously revenging US sanctions on Chinese officials due to Xinjiang serious violation of human rights.

Blinken stated that Beijing used intimidation to attempt to silence the international violation of basic human rights and freedoms and genocide in Xinjiang. He emphasised that the US, Canada, the EU and the global alliances will stand together, claim to Beijing for stopping the violation of targeting minorities and dissidents, and release the people who have been randomly arrested.

Source: Stand News #Mar28

https://bit.ly/3mf63AB

#China #Beijing #UnitedStated #US #Canada #Europe #EU #Xinjiang #Sanctions #CCP #HumanRights #USCIRF #Freedom #Genocide #Blinken
British Law Firm Being Sanctioned and Responded on China's Stupidity: Independent Practitioners Can Have Different Views as Clients and Colleagues

Ministry of Foreign Affairs in China announced to sanction nine personnel and four entities, including British Essex Court Chambers. The chair of the Bar Human Rights Committee and Head of Cloisters Human Rights Practice Group, Schona Jolly, described the sanctions from China are “maladroit”, as lawyers are work in the same office but are all independent and might not agree with the views of clients and colleagues. She reiterated that China should accept the independent investigation by the international society on Xinjiang human rights problems instead of engaging “the diplomatic tactics”.

Schona Jolly also indicated that according to The Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers defined by the United Nations, lawyers' professional work should not be intimidated by sanctions and should not be implicated by clients. She stated that the sanctions to the whole lawyer office from China are “maladroit” as they work at the same office but are independent and self-employed practitioners, not necessarily sharing their professional points of views with other colleagues and clients. China sanctions the whole structure (i.e. the whole office) will only reflect their misunderstanding on the British law professional operations and the independence of lawyers.

Source: Stand News #Mar28

https://bit.ly/3cRJ1gd

#China #England #Sanctions #UnitedNations #Lawyer #Independence #InternationalSociety #Xinjiang #HumanRights #Diplomatic
China Sanctions 9 British Personnel and 4 Entities for Sanctioning China “Based on Lies and False Information”

The Chinese Foreign Ministry announced sanctions against nine British personnel and four entities, accusing the UK of interfering in China's internal affairs by sanctioning China over the Xinjiang issue "based on lies and false information". China also accused the UK of violating the international law and basic norms of international relations.

Recently, China and the western have imposed sanctions on each other. The Chinese government has set up "re-education camps" in Xinjiang in recent years to detain a large number of Uyghurs, and the international community has criticized China for violating human rights. On the 22nd of March, the European Union announced sanctions against four Chinese officials and one entity. Then, the United Kingdom immediately announced the same list of sanctions which is the first time in 30 years that the United Kingdom has punished China for human rights issues.

Source: Stand News #Mar26

https://bit.ly/3dSDllb

#China #UK #EU #SinoBritishRelations #sanctions #Xinjiang #reeducationCamp #Uyghurs #humanrights
Australia and New Zealand welcome sanctions on China over Uighur abuses but impose none of their own

Australia and New Zealand have raised “grave concerns” about human rights abuses against Muslim minorities in China’s Xinjiang region, citing “the growing number of credible reports” of severe violations.

But while both countries have welcomed new coordinated sanctions announced by the UK, US, the EU and Canada, they have not announced any such measures of their own.

The Guardian understands this is because Australia and New Zealand lack Magnitsky-style laws that would allow the swift rollout of targeted sanctions against individuals for human rights abuses – but the Morrison government is expected to table draft legislation later this year.

Source: Guardian #Mar23

#Australia #NewZealand #Sanctions #China

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/23/australia-and-new-zealand-welcome-china-sanctions-over-uighur-abuses-but-impose-none-of-their-own?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
China is betting that the West is in irreversible decline

ITS GAZE fixed on the prize of becoming rich and strong, China has spent the past 40 years as a risk-averse bully. Quick to inflict pain on smaller powers, it has been more cautious around any country capable of punching back. Recently, however, China’s risk calculations have seemed to change. First Yang Jiechi, the Communist Party’s foreign-policy chief, lectured American diplomats at a bilateral meeting in Alaska, pointing out the failings of American democracy. That earned him hero status back home. Then China imposed sanctions on British, Canadian and European Union politicians, diplomats, academics, lawyers and democracy campaigners. Those sweeping curbs were in retaliation for narrower Western sanctions targeting officials accused of repressing Muslims in the north-western region of Xinjiang.

Source: The Economist #Apr03

https://www.economist.com/china/2021/04/03/china-is-betting-that-the-west-is-in-irreversible-decline

#China #CCP #Sanctions #British #Canadian #EuropeanUnion
MPs from UK, US, and Canada Condemn Sentencing of 9 Veteran Pro-Democracy Figures and Calls for #Sanctions

Source: Stand News #Apr16

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https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/29476
#GlobalConcern
MPs from UK, US, and Canada Condemn Sentencing of 9 Veteran Pro-Democracy Figures and Calls for #Sanctions

In a statement of condemnation issued via #HongKongWatch, a group of parliamentarians from UK, United States, and Canada denounced the sentencing and imprisonment of 9 of the "most moderate and distinguished pro-democracy activists" of Hong Kong for participating in the peaceful protest at Victoria park on Aug 18, 2019.

"The CCP's comprehensive assault on the freedoms of Hong Kong and its rule of law continues relentlessly", said former governor of Hong Kong Chris Patten. "The CCP simply does not understand that you cannot bludgeon and incarcerate people into loving a totalitarian and corrupt regime. While Hong Kong's values are attacked by the Communist Party, the regime is also careful in its attempt to safeguard the use of the city as a secret means for the family and friends of Beijing's leaders to store away the proceeds of their corruption."

UK shadow minister for Asia & Pacific Stephen Kinnock called it "dark day for democracy, free speech and liberty in Hong Kong". He praised the 9 activists as "brave" and "an inspiration to us all." He goes on to say that "by standing strong and united against the authoritarian bullying of the Chinese government they have set an example that democracies around the world would do well to follow."

US senator and former presidential candidate Mitt Romney called for the immediate release of the 9 pro-democracy activists. He said that they "stand with the people of Hong Kong in their fight for freedom and democracy", and exhorts the US administration to "work with our allies and partners to support the people of Hong Kong and impose meaningful sanctions on the CCP."

Canadian Senator Leo Housakos, who had been a proponent of Magnisky Act sanctions on Chinese officials since last year, asserted that not only must Canada "unequivocally condemn this tyrannical and oppressive behaviour", the country must also "do all that we can to provide refuge to those courageous enough to take on the communist regime of China."

The 9 veteran pro-democracy figures were found guilty for organizing and participating in unlawful assembly for taking part in the demonstration and march from Victoria Park on Aug 18, 2019. Their sentences range from 8 to 18 months, and only four of them received suspended sentences, while the rest are immediately jailed.

The verdict by Judge Amanda Woodcock noted that the case did not involve violence, however the potential risk of heightened emotions in gathering crowds escalating into violence must be accounted for.

Additionally, as all 9 defendants are well known public figures, when they lead a march, a large crowd would be sure to follow; therefore they made a "conscious decision" to commit a crime, with the intent to challenge the police, the law, and public order. The conclusion was that prison was the only appropriate sentence.

Source: Stand News #Apr16
https://www.thestandnews.com/international/8-18-%E6%A1%88-%E8%8B%B1%E7%BE%8E%E5%8A%A0%E8%AD%B0%E5%93%A1%E7%99%BC%E8%81%B2%E6%98%8E%E8%AD%B4%E8%B2%AC%E5%88%A4%E5%88%91-%E7%BE%85%E5%A7%86%E5%B0%BC%E4%BF%83%E6%94%BE%E4%BA%BA-%E7%A8%B1%E7%BE%8E%E6%94%BF%E5%BA%9C%E6%87%89%E6%96%BD%E5%8A%A0%E5%88%B6%E8%A3%81/
British Asia-Pacific Minister: UK Sanctions Chinese officials for Xinjiang Issue but How About Hong Kong Officials?

The protest organisation “Stand with Hong Kong” held an online roundtable meeting with UK Labour Party on Mar 24 to discuss its role in the Hong Kong issue. Stephen Kinnock, the Labour Party shadow minister, asked why the UK government had not sanctioned Hong Kong officials yet while sanctions had already put on related China officials. Recently, some public opinions question whether UK judges should still serve in Hong Kong judiciary institutions. Kinnock believes “the time of UK judges serving Hong Kong should be ended”.

The meeting was hosted by Siobhain McDonagh, the Labour Party Congressman. Stephen Kinnock, the shadow Asia-Pacific State Affairs Minister, Francis, representatives of “Stand with Hong Kong”, and Ted Hui, the former member of the Hong Kong Legislative Council who exiled to Australia, spoke in turn.

Source : Stand News #Mar26

https://bit.ly/3vrSnWl

#UK #LabourParty #StandwithHongKong #OnlineMeeting #StephenKinnock #TedHui #sanctions
Human Right Watch report: Crimes against humanity are occurring in Xinjiang, “Using UN investigations” and advocating various governments to sanction and prosecute Chinese officials 
 
Human Right Watch announced a new report, which stated the suppression from Chinese government targets Uyghurs in Xinjiang and other Turkic Muslims. It includes mass detention, surveillance, restrictions on migration, obliteration of their culture and religion, those are already constituting a “crime against humanity” in international law. Human Right Watch urged United Nations establishes investigation committee, investigating allegations of human rights violations in Xinjiang. Also, it urged governments and enterprises in each country suppress to China, claimed to Chinese government to stop violating human rights, assisting in prosecuting crimes against humanity of sanctioning Chinese officials. 
 
Human Right Watch announced new report which wrote with International Human Rights and Conflict Resolution Clinic on Monday in United States (19April). It stated according to investigations and reports from Human Right Watch, other human right organisations, media and rights protection group, Chinese government’s suppression of the Turkic Muslim population in the Xinjiang Uyghur autonomous region. In the recent years it reaches unprecedented levels, including randomly arrested citizens; the courts severely sentenced without process, torture, and abuse; cultural and political indoctrination; forced labour; large-scale surveillance; restrictions on migration; arbitrary arrests and enforced disappearances; obliteration of their culture and religion; and separation of families.  
 
Source: Stand News #Apr20

 https://bit.ly/3bm8j4O
 
#HumanRightWatch #Xinjiang #China #HumanRights #Investigation #ChineseOfficials #Uyghurs #Muslims #Sanctions #Religion #Suppression #Reports  
Support Taiwan’s participation in International Organisation Act, the French Senate passed an overwhelming majority  
 
The French Senate passed “Taiwan’s Participation in the Work of International Organisation Act” with the overwhelming number, supporting Taiwan participates multiple international organisations. This voting result will almost inevitably anger Beijing, Chinese Ambassador to France Lu Shaye wrote to French parliamentarians twice this years, to obstruct the senator’s visit to Taiwan, and threatened that if French keeps supporting Taiwan to participate international organisations, they will be sanctioned by China.  
 
The French Senate, which is dominated by the right-wing opposition, passed the “Taiwan Participation in the Work of International Organisations Act” with 304 votes in favour, 0 votes against, and 19 abstentions on Thursday (6May).  
 
This bill, which is supported by local cross-country parties, is non-binding. It was jointly proposed by Joël Guerriau, Vice Chairman of the Senate Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee, and Alain Richard, Chairman of the next group, in March, hoping that France would participate for Taiwan in The World Health Organisation, General Assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organisation, ‘United Nations Convention on Climate Change” and even International Criminal Police Organisation have worked hard.  
 
Source: Stand News #May07

https://bit.ly/3bYtPwJ
 
#Taiwan #France #InternationalOrganisation #Beijing #China #Sanctions #WHO  
The Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress passed the Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law; any individual who fails to cooperate with the countermeasures will be held accountable 
 
The Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China closed today (10th June) in Beijing, according to the CCTV, the decision and proposal of Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law has passed during the meeting. Now, the proposal of Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law still has not published. European and American countries have been countered by Chinese government due to the issues of Xinjiang human rights, Hong Kong’s situation, and annunciation to sanction the Chinese and Hong Kong officials. According to the interview of Director Tian Feilong which podcasted by Now News, he described that proposal will be a “legal weapon” to counter external interference. And he said Hong Kong is necessarily to cooperate with the law, stated that after the law has been passed, it might be included in Annex III of Hong Kong’s basic law, or Hong Kong government may revise and formulate relevant local laws on its own. 
 
The Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law also sets out, the relevant departments of the State Council can take measures, including not issuing visas, not allowing the entry, log-outing visas or even deporting; sealing up, seizing, and freezing movable, immovable, and other various properties in China; and prohibit or restrict organisations and individuals in China from conducting transactions and cooperation with them, etc.  
 
Tian indicated, in the past, China faced sanctions mainly through the administrative measures of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Commerce, which were limited to the economic and foreign trade areas of the original Ministry of Commerce and blocked them. The individual countermeasures announced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are only administrative in nature. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the relevant legal system. He described the "Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law" as a "legal toolbox" to counter external interference, and to make countermeasures act in accordance with the law, forming a stronger law enforcement force. 
 
Source: Stand News #Jun10

 https://bit.ly/3izXfp6

#China #ForeignAffairs #Beijing #CCTV #Sanctions #HongKong #HumanRights #Xinjiang #Law #Visa #Deport  
The U.S. Recognizes China Conducting Genocide in Xinjiang

U.S. State Department published a new report on genocide and assaulted prevention, recognizing China conducts genocide in Xinjiang.

The report first detailly elaborates the assault in six countries (China, Myanmar, Iraq, Ethiopia, Syria and South Sudan). The report then indicates China continuously conducting genocide against Uyghurs and other minorities, including prison, torture and forced sterilization. The U.S. has taken multiple measures to respond, including sanctions of relevant officials and parties, limitation of visa issuance and exporting products involved in forced labour. And the Biden government expanded the sanctions against China of the late Trump government.

Source: I-Cable #Jul13

https://youtu.be/lSdCOuJwOL4

#USA #US #China #Biden #Uyghur #genocide #sanctions #minorities
#YouTube terminates campaign channel of sole Hong Kong chief executive candidate #JohnLee, citing need to comply with #US #sanctions on ex-official

//Online video sharing platform YouTube has terminated the campaign channel of Hong Kong’s sole chief executive candidate John Lee Ka-chiu, citing the need to comply with US sanctions placed on the former official.

The platform, operated by US giant #Google, made the rare move in taking down Lee’s YouTube channel early on Wednesday, clipping the Beijing-endorsed candidate’s ability to share videos of him meeting different sectors publicly.//

Source: SCMP #Apr19
https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3174862/youtube-terminates-campaign-channel-sole-hong-kong-chief

#ChiefExecutiveElection #SmallCircle
#USSanctions
China regulators reportedly meet banks to discuss protecting assets from US sanctions

Chinese regulators held an emergency meeting with domestic and foreign banks last month to discuss protecting trillions of dollars in overseas assets from US-led #sanctions similar to those imposed on Russia, according to a report.

The Financial Times reports the April 22 meeting between representatives from China’s central bank and finance ministry, and executives from all large banks operating in China, was called because Chinese officials are worried similar action could be taken against Beijing in the event of a regional military conflict.

While the officials and attendees did not mention specific scenarios, according to the report, the most likely trigger for international sanctions is thought to be a Chinese invasion of #Taiwan.

“If China attacks Taiwan, decoupling of the Chinese and western economies will be far more severe than [decoupling with] Russia because China’s economic footprint touches every part of the world,” one of the people briefed on the meeting told the Financial Times.

According to the Financial Times report, senior Chinese regulators asked bankers at the meeting what could be done to protect China’s overseas assets, especially its $US3.2 trillion in foreign reserves.

China holds more than $US1 trillion in US Treasury bonds and owns huge amounts of real estate, including major New York office buildings and hotels.

“No one on site could think of a good solution to the problem,” another person briefed on the meeting told the newspaper. “China’s banking system isn’t prepared for a freeze of its dollar assets or exclusion from the Swift messaging system as the US has done to Russia.”

Source: news.com.au #May3

https://www.news.com.au/finance/economy/world-economy/china-regulators-reportedly-meet-banks-to-discuss-protecting-assets-from-us-sanctions/news-story/ac62b7e110bd4ebd046e09410bc7bbae

#USSanctions #UkraineInvasion #ChineseAssets #CCP