U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has made strong allegations against China, accusing Beijing of committing genocide against Uyghur Muslim minorities. These comments were made in the State Department's annual report on human rights, highlighting China's treatment of Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities in Xinjiang.
Blinken's remarks come at a crucial time as he prepares for delicate talks with Chinese officials during his upcoming trip to China. The discussions are expected to cover various key topics, including the conflict in Ukraine and global trade.
In the report, Blinken described the human rights situation in China as grave, citing genocide, crimes against humanity, forced labor, and other violations against Uyghurs and other ethnic and religious minority groups in Xinjiang.
The report outlines disturbing details, such as the detention of over a million individuals in camps and prisons, as well as the use of re-education camps in Xinjiang. These actions are part of a broader pattern of abuses against the Chinese population.
China has consistently denied these allegations, claiming that the facilities in Xinjiang are vocational training centers aimed at combating terrorism, separatism, and religious extremism.
Blinken, who took office in 2021, has continued the stance of his predecessor by labeling China's actions as genocide. He has raised concerns about human rights abuses in meetings with Chinese officials.
While human rights will be a topic of discussion during Blinken's visit to China, the specific situation in Xinjiang was not explicitly mentioned by a senior State Department official briefing reporters last week.
