the European Union sanctions China, which replies

Blow for blow. The Europeans sanctioned, Monday, March 22, for the first time China for the persecution of Uyghur Muslims in the Xinjiang region. Beijing immediately retaliated with sanctions against a dozen European figures. A response judged “unacceptable” by Josep Borrell, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

EU foreign ministers have approved the inclusion of four leaders and one entity from China’s Xinjiang region on the sanctions list for human rights violations, created in December 2020. The sanctions European Union policies consist of a ban on travel to the EU and a freeze on assets held in the European Union.

Beijing responded by sanctioning ten European personalities, including several elected members of the European Parliament, accused “to seriously undermine China’s sovereignty and interests and to spread lies and disinformation”. Europeans and their families will be banned from staying in China, Hong Kong and Macao.

French MEP Raphaël Glucksmann (Renew-liberal), who is committed to the defense of the Uyghurs, for his part said he was flattered by the decision of the Chinese authorities. “I learn that I am targeted by Chinese sanctions, banished from Chinese territory (as well as all my family!) And forbidden from all contact with official institutions and Chinese companies in my defense of the Uyghur people: it is my legion of ‘honor”, he said in a message on his Twitter account.

Your sanctions do not impress me. Your exhortations to “self-criticize” and your threats either.
With the 9 other European personalities sanctioned, we will continue to fight against your crimes and to break the silences which surround them.

– Raphael Glucksmann (@ rglucks1) March 22, 2021

The European Union took these sanctions in consultation with the United States and the United Kingdom. In the same movement, Washington and then London announced similar measures on Monday.