The lawmakers were banned from entering China and in 2021 Chinese entities were banned from doing business with them.
We use Google Cloud Translation Services. Google requires we provide the following disclaimer relating to use of this service:
This service may contain translations powered by Google. Google disclaims all warranties related to the translations, expressed or implied, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and noninfringement.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Friday that China has agreed to lift sanctions imposed on five British MPs and two colleagues for criticizing China's alleged human rights abuses against its Uighur minority group.
MPs were banned from entering China and Chinese entities were banned from doing business with them in 2021. Beijing has accused them of spreading “lies and disinformation” about China’s treatment of its Muslim Uighur minority in its Xinjiang region.
Those affected include Tom Tugendhat, the security minister until 2016, and Iain Duncan Smith, the pensions minister. “I raised that issue and the Chinese have been absolutely clear in their response that the restrictions will no longer apply. President Xi told me that means all MPs are welcome,” Starmer told a British television interview.
During a visit to China to boost economic ties with the world’s second-largest economy, he said, “It shows that if we continue to engage in dialogue and cooperation, even the most difficult issues can be resolved.”
US President Donald Trump criticised Starmer’s visit, which was also criticised in Britain.
Beijing has been accused of detaining more than a million Uighurs and other Muslims since 2017, part of a campaign that the United Nations could consider “crimes against humanity” if proven.
China has strongly denied the allegations, saying its policies have rooted out extremism in Xinjiang and promoted economic development.
