Britain announced that it would impose sanctions on China. Yang Xiaoguang： It will not be trampled upon by others and will resolutely fight back.

According to the Chinese Embassy in Britain, on March 22, 2021, the Chargé d ‘affaires of the Embassy in Britain, Yang Xiaoguang, successively received an exclusive interview with British Sky News, TV 4 and BBC, explaining China’s principled position on the sanctions imposed by the European Union and Britain on relevant institutions and personnel in China due to Xinjiang-related issues, and refuting wrong remarks. Sky News and TV 4 broadcast live reports, and BBC broadcast some interviews in the news program that night.

In response to the British Foreign Development Secretary’s announcement that Britain will impose sanctions on China officials and entities,Agent Yang said that Xinjiang affairs are entirely China’s internal affairs. Based on lies and false information, the British side imposed unilateral sanctions on individuals and entities in China on the pretext of human rights issues, ignored the facts, turned black and white, grossly interfered in China’s internal affairs, blatantly violated international law and the basic norms of international relations, and seriously damaged Sino-British relations. China expresses strong dissatisfaction and resolute opposition to this, and reserves the right to take corresponding countermeasures to safeguard China’s interests and dignity.

In response to China’s question about whether it was surprised by the British government’s decision,Deputy Yang said that China was not surprised, but deeply disappointed, and resolutely opposed this wrong decision. Sanctions will not only have no effect on China, but will make the people of China more united. The basic reaction I have heard is that Chinese officials who have been sanctioned are deeply honored to be able to defend national interests.

In response to the question whether China will take countermeasures against Britain,Agent Yang said that China does not take the initiative to provoke confrontation and attack others, but it will not be trampled upon by others and will resolutely fight back. China will not succumb to external pressure, and we should not underestimate our determination and confidence in safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests. China is carefully studying the British statement and will make an appropriate response in due course. China urges the British side to change its course in time, withdraw relevant wrong decisions, avoid damage to bilateral relations, and take effective measures to bring Sino-British relations back to the right track.

In response to the question that Xinjiang Education and Training Center is equivalent to a "concentration camp", China has carried out "genocide" and "forced labor" on Uighurs, forced sterilization on Uighur women and separated Uighur children from their parents, Agent Yang pointed out that China has repeatedly stated that there is no so-called "genocide", "forced labor" and "mass sterilization" in Xinjiang. These accusations against Xinjiang are groundless and "century lies". The so-called evidence hyped by the British media is completely malicious lies and false information, which has no credibility at all. The relevant pictures and videos are fabricated or taken out of context.

Agent Yang said that China’s establishment of the education and training center is a preventive anti-terrorism measure to educate and save those who are infected by extreme thoughts, involved in terrorism activities or seriously influenced by extreme thoughts and prevent them from going to terrorism. Facts have proved that this measure has effectively protected the life safety of people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang, including Uighur compatriots, and also guaranteed the right of the students concerned to reunite with their families according to law. Students study the national common language, legal knowledge and vocational skills education and training in the teaching and training center. After graduation, they generally find suitable jobs and their living standards are improved.

Agent Yang said that cotton production in Xinjiang has been highly mechanized, and there is no need for a lot of manpower. Moreover, there are few job opportunities, high pay and fierce competition. Where is the need for forced labor?

Agent Yang said that the family planning policy is still the basic national policy of China, which is implemented nationwide, but it is more relaxed for ethnic minorities, including Uighurs. The accusations you mentioned are sheer nonsense.

Agent Yang pointed out that the pictures repeatedly broadcast by British TV programs are scenes of centralized transfer of prisoners in Xinjiang detention center, which has nothing to do with the teaching and training center. These prisoners are dangerous people suspected of breaking the law, so it is absolutely necessary to take security measures for them, and there is no abuse problem.

Agent Yang stressed that facts have repeatedly proved that the accusations against China are unfounded. In 2019, Xinjiang received more than 200 million Chinese and foreign tourists. If there are a lot of "torture" or "misconduct" in the local area, why is there no more evidence? In fact, China’s Xinjiang policy has been widely understood and supported internationally. At the 46th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, 64 countries, including Arab countries, made a joint speech in support of China’s Xinjiang policy. We welcome more tourists from all over the world to visit Xinjiang after the COVID-19 epidemic, and believe that they can make correct judgments through what they have seen with their own eyes. What China has done in Xinjiang is frank and aboveboard, which can stand the test of history.

In response to a question about the nature of the Public Security Bureau of Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, agent Yang said that the primary responsibility of the public security organs of Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps is to protect the lives and property safety and legitimate rights and interests of people of all ethnic groups, including Uighurs. Over the years, the public security organs of the Corps have cracked down on serious crimes such as terrorism according to law, which has been sincerely supported and generally supported by the local people of all ethnic groups.

In response to a question from the former US Secretary of State that China had put Uighurs in "concentration camps" and instilled communist party’s ideas and carried out "genocide", Agent Yang said that there was no "genocide" in Xinjiang. A century or two ago, the United States massacred Indians, and what they did was called "genocide."

On the question of whether China allows the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to visit Xinjiang and whether foreign journalists are allowed to visit Xinjiang freely, Agent Yang said that China welcomes the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to visit China and Xinjiang, and has kept close communication with the United Nations. The door of Xinjiang is open. We welcome people who are unbiased and really want to know about the development of Xinjiang to visit Xinjiang, but we firmly oppose any condescending presumption of guilt. According to the relevant regulations of China, foreign journalists can go to Xinjiang to report on the premise of abiding by the laws of China and fulfilling relevant procedures.

In response to a question about a British parliamentarian claiming that he was "harassed on the Internet by diplomats of the China Embassy", Agent Yang said that some British parliamentarians have repeatedly made false statements about Xinjiang on social media, and China diplomats have the right to clarify the truth and set the record straight. Members can make false statements, so we have no right to state the facts? Why do you say "harassment"?

On the question of whether "one country, two systems" in Hong Kong has become "one country, one system" and whether the Legislative Council of Hong Kong will become a "rubber stamp", Mr. Yang said that the China government has always fully and accurately implemented the policy of "one country, two systems", but "one country" is the prerequisite. After the storm of amending regulations, "one country" has been seriously impacted, and it is necessary to strengthen "one country" in order to better guarantee "two systems". What China has done is to ensure that "one country, two systems" is stable and far-reaching, and to ensure that the interests of the overwhelming majority of Hong Kong people are safeguarded. Members of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong come from all walks of life and are widely representative. In the future, there will still be many voices in the Hong Kong Legislative Council. On the premise of safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity, members’ right to express their opinions is guaranteed.

(The original title is "The Chargé d ‘affaires of Yang Xiaoguang is interviewed by British Sky News, TV 4 and BBC")