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Updated May 6th, 2021 at 21:00 IST

China condemns G7 statement on Taiwan, human rights

China's government on Thursday rejected criticism of its human rights and economic record by foreign ministers of the Group of Seven major economies and accused them of meddling in its affairs.

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China's government on Thursday rejected criticism of its human rights and economic record by foreign ministers of the Group of Seven major economies and accused them of meddling in its affairs.

A statement Wednesday by G-7 diplomats in London "made groundless accusations" against China, said a Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Wang Wenbin.

He accused them of "blatantly meddling" in China's affairs.

"China strongly condemns it," Wang said at a press briefing.

Wednesday's statement added to diplomatic pressure on Beijing over its treatment of Uyghur and other minorities and reports of mass detentions, forced labour and forced sterilization.

The officials from the United States, Britain, Japan, Germany, France, Italy and Canada said they were "deeply concerned" but announced no formal action on reports of forced labour and other abuses.

Beijing rejects complaints that it mistreats minorities and says camps in Xinjiang are for job training to promote economic development and combat radicalism among the western region's predominantly Muslim population.

The statement also criticised the G-7 governments support of Taiwan's participation in World Health Organization forums and the World Health Assembly, which Beijing has been blocking.

"Taiwan's participation in international organizations, including the activities of the World Health Organization, which is composed of sovereign states, must be handled in accordance with the one-China principle," said Wang.

G-7 governments should be working on improving access to coronavirus vaccines for developing countries instead of "making accusations and interfering with other countries in a condescending way," Wang said.

 

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Published May 6th, 2021 at 21:00 IST

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