China condemns sanctions as show of 'folly, arrogance'

China has strongly condemned the unilateral sanctions imposed by the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and the European Union on Chinese officials and institutions over Xinjiang-related issues, saying they will "pay for their folly and arrogance".

On Monday, the EU, the UK and Canada blacklisted four former and current officials in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, while the US, which had already sanctioned two of those officials in July 2020, added the other two to the list.

Vice-Foreign Minister Qin Gang summoned Nicolas Chapuis, the EU ambassador to China, on Monday, and British ambassador to China Caroline Wilson on Tuesday, to convey China's solemn protest against the sanctions.

China has also lodged solemn representations with the US and Canada, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said on Tuesday.

Speaking at a regular news briefing in Beijing, Hua said that by using "evidence" fabricated by anti-China politicians and so-called scholars, it is clear that politicians from these countries are not willing to recognize the fact that people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang enjoy peace, stability and development.

"They use human rights as a cover to interfere in China's internal affairs, trying to contain China's development," Hua said, referring to such a practice as blatant interference in China's domestic affairs and infringement of China's sovereignty and security interests.

"Do not underestimate the Chinese people's firm will to defend national interests and dignity. It is not the Chinese way to receive something without giving something in return. These people will pay for their folly and arrogance," she added.

When asked whether China is concerned that these Western countries have for the first time taken sanctions together against officials in Xinjiang, Hua said China is not worried at all, as these countries do not represent, and are in no position to represent, the position of the international community.

"We hope these countries can reflect upon themselves, know themselves correctly and learn to treat other countries as equals with respect," she said, adding that all countries, regardless of size, strength or wealth, are equal members of the international community.

The spokeswoman also said that bloc politics in small cliques are unpopular and recent remarks made by a Hungarian official have shown that some countries in the EU are coerced.

Speaking during a one-day meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels, the Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto said that Hungary views the EU's imposing sanctions on Chinese people as meaningless, pretentious and harmful.

The EU's recent sanctions are extremely damaging, as they will further poison cooperation between the EU and China, Szijjarto said, adding that the EU would benefit much more substantially if the cooperation were steered in a more rational direction.

Hua said, "Leaders, statesmen and diplomats with wisdom will not blindly follow the so-called alliance. …We hope that relevant countries can look at China's development rationally and go with the trend of the times and reject a Cold War mentality."

Chen Yingqun contributed to this story.