China denounces Pompeo over Uighur comments

China on Tuesday denounced criticism from US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo against the alleged forced sterilisation of Uighur women in Xinjiang, saying Pompeo was "telling bare-faced lies".

Pompeo said on Monday the reports China's ruling Communist Party was using forced sterilisation, forced abortion and coercive family planning against minority Muslims are "shocking" and "disturbing" and demanded an immediate end to the campaign.

While individual women have spoken out before about forced birth control, the practice is far more widespread and systematic than previously known, according to an Associated Press investigation based on government statistics, state documents and interviews with 30 ex-detainees, family members and a former detention camp instructor.

China has called the allegations baseless.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian told Tuesday's regular press briefing that ethinic minorities, including Uighurs, have been enjoying favourable population policies.

He said the Uighur population in Xinjiang had increased 2.1 times in 40 years.

"If Pompeo's statement is true, how can the Uighur population in Xinjiang have increased significantly?" Zhao said.

Zhao said instead of slandering China, US politicians should pay more attention to the "extensive systematic" racial discrimination inside their own country.