US and Canada hit back at China's 'baseless' sanctions as Xinjiang row deepens

Washington says Beijing's tit-for-tat sanctions will only focus attention on its genocide' against Uighurs

The US secretary of state, Antony Blinken, has warned that China's tit-for-tat sanctions against two Americans in the growing dispute over Beijing's treatment of Uighurs were baseless" and would only shine a harsh spotlight on the genocide" in Xinjiang.

Beijing's attempts to intimidate and silence those speaking out for human rights and fundamental freedoms only contribute to the growing international scrutiny of the ongoing genocide and crimes against humanity in Xinjiang," Blinken said in a statement on Saturday.