US lawmakers called Wednesday for President Donald Trump's administration to impose sanctions over rights abuses in China as they released a report describing "crimes against humanity" against the Uighur minority.

In a wide-ranging annual report, the Congressional-Executive Commission on China, which tracks human rights in the Asian power, voiced alarm at Beijing's incarceration of more than one million Uighurs and other Muslims in the western region of Xinjiang.

"The Commission believes Chinese authorities may be committing crimes against humanity against the Uighur people and other Turkic Muslims," it said.

Representative Chris Smith, a member of the commission, pointed to Uighur witnesses who said they were targeted for their Muslim faith.

"We are talking about crimes against humanity on a massive scale," Smith told a news conference.

"We are talking, with regards to what is being done to the Uighurs, something we have not seen since World War II. And the Chinese government, particularly (President) Xi Jinping, needs to be held accountable for this egregious behavior," he said.

Senator Marco Rubio, a close ally of President Donald Trump and co-chair of the commission, vowed that Congress would soon pass an act that seeks sanctions on officials over abuses and restricts exports of surveillance and other equipment seen as assisting in repression in Xinjiang.

The Democratic-led House of Representatives and Republican-led Senate need to reconcile similar acts they approved last year.

"The House and Senate agree on what we're trying to do. Just the language has to be identical," Rubio said, without promising a date.

Lawmakers said it was crucial that the Trump administration implement the Uighur rights law -- as well as a separate act on Hong Kong and an upcoming initiative on Tibet.

Congress last year nearly unanimously approved an act that ties US favorable trading status for Hong Kong to certification that Beijing has preserved the semi-autonomous status of the city, which has seen massive pro-democracy protests.

Trump signed the law after musing on how it could jeopardize his efforts to press China in an intense trade war.

Rubio said lawmakers across the partisan divide wanted to prioritize human rights but acknowledged that the administration was also concerned about trade.

"I do think that, by and large, they are supportive of what we are saying but, again, the proof will be in the implementation" of the act, Rubio said.

Representative Jim McGovern, a Democrat who co-chairs the commission, said he appreciated the Trump administration's strong statements on Xinjiang but said there needed to be action.

"I think we need to get beyond talking the talk. We need to actually walk the walk," he said.

Uighur activists and witnesses say China is forcibly seeking to integrate the ethnic group. Beijing argues that it is offering vocational training in a bid to discourage extremism.

Related Links
China News from SinoDaily.com

Tweet

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only

'Return to right path' Beijing's new envoy tells Hong Kong
Hong Kong (AFP) Jan 6, 2020
Beijing's new top envoy to Hong Kong said he hoped the protest ravaged city would "return to the right path" as he took up his post on Monday. Luo Huining replaced Wang Zhimin as head of Beijing's Liaison Office in Hong Kong - the most significant personnel change by China since violent pro-democracy protests erupted in the city nearly seven months ago. The 65-year-old Luo delivered a short statement to reporters in Mandarin - not the city's lingua franca Cantonese. He gave little clue as ... read more