Several European countries including France and Germany have summoned Chinese envoys, intensifying a diplomatic dispute sparked by Western powers’ decision to impose sanctions on Beijing over its alleged human rights violations against Uighurs.
The moves on Tuesday came after China sanctioned a number of European officials in what was a retaliatory move for the punitive measures rolled out on it the previous day by the European Union, United States, United Kingdom and Canada.
China’s sanctions targeted several European nationals – five of whom are members of the European Parliament – and four institutions that it said had damaged the country’s interests and “maliciously spread lies and disinformation”.
Belgian legislator Samuel Cogolati and French Member of the European Parliament Raphael Glucksmann were among the 10 individuals singled out.
Responding to China’s move, EU members Belgium, Denmark, France and Germany all called in Chinese ambassadors on Tuesday....
China's foreign ministry said Tuesday it had summoned the European Union's ambassador, Nicolas Chapuis, to make a "solemn protest" against sanctions the bloc imposed on Chinese officials over human rights abuses in far western Xinjiang.
ReplyDeleteIn a statement the ministry said Vice Foreign Minister Qin Gang told Mr Chapuis the EU should recognize the seriousness of its error and correct it to prevent further damage to ties with China, StraitsTimes reported.