Beijing Protests
Shortly after the news reached China, the country’s counterterrorism office director Liu Yuejin convened a press conference, claiming that the legislation was “creating something out of nothing” and “meddling with China’s internal affairs using the banner of religion and human rights.”The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has built a vast surveillance network in the region to monitor its 11 million Muslim inhabitants, as part of what the regime describes as “counter-terrorism” efforts. At least 1 million Uyghurs and other Muslims have been estimated to be detained in internment camps.
Survivors from these camps have told The Epoch Times that detainees have been subjected to brainwashing and other forms of torture in an effort to force them to give up their beliefs.
China’s vice foreign ministry director also summoned William Klein, acting deputy chief of the Mission of the U.S. Embassy in China, to lodge “stern representations and strong protest.”
At least six other government organs, including the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National People’s Congress, the regime’s rubber-stamp legislature, the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, the top advisory body to the CCP, and the State Ethnic Affairs Commission voiced opposition to the bill. The state broadcaster CCTV spent over 20 minutes criticizing the United States’ move during its evening news program.
Hua Chunying, the foreign ministry spokesperson, said the move is a U.S. attempt to “poison ethnic relations” while “smearing and slandering China’s successful ethnic policy.”
Hua also made note of the Hong Kong bill supportive of the pro-democracy movement, which Trump signed into law last week.
“Attempts to contain China with Hong Kong or Xinjiang issues will prove to be nothing but day-dreaming,” she said.
The hawkish state-run newspaper Global Times warned that the regime could release an “unreliable entity list” to sanction U.S. officials. Hu Xijin, editor of the paper, in a Twitter post warned that “U.S. politicians with stakes in China should be careful.”
Human Rights Concerns
From the U.S. side, lawmakers and human rights activists have welcomed the bill, saying it progressed the cause of tackling human rights violations in China.He expressed appreciation for the “strong bipartisan cooperation in addressing the agony of the Uyghurs,” adding, “tonight’s action gives Uyghurs hope.”
“This legislation takes the next step,” said Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.) during the floor debate.
“We cannot be silent. We must demand an end to these barbaric practices and accountability from the Chinese government. We must say ‘never again’ to the cultural genocide and the atrocities suffered by Uighurs and others in China,” he continued.
“The Chinese Government and Communist Party is working to systematically wipe out the ethnic and cultural identities of Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities in Xinjiang,” Rubio said in a statement, adding that they will be working to pass through a final version of the Senate bill.
“Uyghurs deserve justice for the barbaric and abhorrent acts they have been forced to endure,” Menedez said.
Trade Threats
The passage of the Uyghur Act has clouded the prospect of a quick deal to end the nearly 17-month long trade war between the world’s two largest economies.When asked whether the bill’s passage would affect U.S.-China trade relations, Hua said: “there is no way this won’t affect bilateral relations and cooperation in important areas.”
“If the US takes measures that harm China’s interests, it must pay the price,” she said.
“I have no deadline,” he said ahead of the London NATO summit. “In some ways I think it’s better to wait until after the election with China.” He said that the agreement is “dependent on one thing—do I want to make it.”
Hua also said the regime did not “set a deadline for reaching an agreement.”
Hua declined to elaborate on the details of the regime’s sanctions on the non-profits.
Trump said on Wednesday said that the two sides have remained in communication.
“Discussions are going very well and we'll see what happens,” he said during a NATO meeting in London.