China’s top Xinjiang official Chen Quanguo should face sanctions over alleged abuses, US lawmakers say
- Cross-party group lament government’s ‘failure so far to impose any sanctions related to ongoing systemic human rights abuses in Xinjiang’
- US should also step up disclosure requirements about Chinese companies complicit in rights violations, group says
A broad group of US lawmakers on Wednesday called for sanctions against China’s top official in the Xinjiang region over alleged abuses – including mass detentions – against the Uygur minority.
The letter signed by 24 senators – almost a quarter of the body – and 19 House members across party lines also called on the United States to step up disclosure requirements about Chinese companies held to be complicit in rights violations.
The lawmakers asked President Donald Trump’s administration to target Chen Quanguo, the Communist Party secretary in the far-western Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, who previously held a similar position in Tibet and has become known for his handling of minorities.
“We are disappointed with the administration’s failure so far to impose any sanctions related to the ongoing systemic and egregious human rights abuses in Xinjiang,” said the letter addressed to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and other top officials.