The United States Department of Commerce has blacklisted 33 Chinese entities over their alleged involvement in human rights violations against Uyghur Muslims in the Xinjiang region. The move marks a significant escalation in tensions between the two countries over the issue..
The blacklisted entities include eight companies and 25 individuals, including top-level officials in the Xinjiang regional government. They are accused of being involved in the mass detention of Uyghurs, forced labor, and other abuses..
The Commerce Department said in a statement that the entities were blacklisted under the Export Control Reform Act of 2018, which authorizes the government to impose sanctions on entities that are involved in human rights violations or support the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction..
The blacklisted entities will be prohibited from receiving any exports from the United States, including items that could be used for human rights abuses. They will also be denied access to US financing and other services..
The move is likely to further strain relations between the US and China, which are already at a low point over a range of issues, including trade, technology, and Taiwan..
China has denied the allegations of human rights abuses in Xinjiang, and has accused the US of using the issue to interfere in its internal affairs..
The blacklisting of the 33 Chinese entities is a significant step in the US government’s effort to hold China accountable for its alleged human rights violations in Xinjiang. It remains to be seen how China will respond to the move, and whether it will further escalate tensions between the two countries..
