Xinjiang: Rubio and Cruz hit with tit-for-tat China sanctions

China has announced sanctions on top Republicans after america imposed sanctions on Chinese officers for alleged human rights abuses in opposition to Muslim minorities in Xinjiang province.

Among those centered are senators Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio, both outspoken critics of China.

The nature of the sanctions is unclear.

China is accused of detaining greater than one million Uighurs and others in Xinjiang but China denies abuses in the far-western region.

Ted Cruz is a senator for Texas even as Marco Rubio represents Florida. The pair competed with Donald Trump for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016.

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China additionally imposed sanctions on Republican congressman Chris Smith; Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom Sam Brownback; and a government agency, the US Congressional-Executive Commission on China.

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The overseas ministry stated the move was in response to America's "incorrect moves".

"We urge the USA to immediately withdraw its incorrect decision, and forestall any words and actions that intrude in China's internal affairs and damage China's interests," spokeswoman Hua Chunying stated.

She gave no information what the sanctions entailed however added: "China will make a further response depending on the improvement of the situation."

Last week america imposed sanctions on some of Chinese politicians who it says are responsible for human rights violations in opposition to Muslim minorities in Xinjiang

ck Grammer

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