Volkswagen on Wednesday (Nov. 27) said that it will close its exiting plant in China's Xinjiang region after the company and its Chinese partner agreed to sell the asset to a Shanghai government-owned buyer, two people familiar with the issue said.&nbsp;

The German automaker had a joint venture assembly plant in Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang.&nbsp;

Moreover, it also had two test tracks in the region, maintaining the largest and most visible presence in Xinjiang of any multinational company.&nbsp;

Volkswagen and SAID will now sell the plant to Shanghai Motor Vehicle Inspection Certification (SMVIC), a subsidiary of the state-owned Shanghai Lingang Development Group, the sources said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/cost-cutting-necessary-after-decades-of-structural-problems-volkswagen-ceo-773100">Also read:&nbsp;Cost cutting necessary after 'decades of structural problems: Volkswagen CEO</a>

The company's presence in the country had attracted condemnation from human rights groups&nbsp;that alleged abuses, including mass forced labour in detention camps in the region.&nbsp;

Beijing, however, denies these claims. The Chinese government has also put pressure on global companies to keep doing business in Xinjiang.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;China slammed for treatment of Xinjiang Uighurs

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Earlier in September, the Ministry of Commerce began investigating whether PVH, the corporate parent of the clothing brands Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger, had taken "discriminatory measures" for not buying products from Xinjiang.&nbsp;

Notably, for Volkswagen, the only issue was not just the political liability but also because it was losing money as it was designed to make gasoline-powered cars. But China has now swiftly adopted electric vehicles in the last four years.&nbsp;

Moreover, half of the cars sold in China are now either battery-electric or plug-in hybrid cars.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Volkswagen on Wednesday (Nov. 27) said that it will close its exiting plant in China's Xinjiang region after the company and its Chinese partner agreed to sell the asset to a Shanghai government-owned buyer, two people familiar with the issue said.

Volkswagen on Wednesday (Nov. 27) said that it will close its exiting plant in China's Xinjiang region after the company and its Chinese partner agreed to sell the asset to a Shanghai government-owned buyer, two people familiar with the issue said. The German automaker had a joint venture assembly plant in Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang. Moreover, it also had two test tracks in the region, maintaining the largest and most visible presence in Xinjiang of any multinational company. Volkswagen and SAID will now sell the plant to Shanghai Motor Vehicle Inspection Certification (SMVIC), a subsidiary of the state-owned Shanghai Lingang Development Group, the sources said. Also read: Cost cutting necessary after 'decades of structural problems: Volkswagen CEO The company's presence in the country had attracted condemnation from human rights groups that alleged abuses, including mass forced labour in detention camps in the region. Beijing, however, denies these claims. The Chinese government has also put pressure on global companies to keep doing business in Xinjiang. Watch | China slammed for treatment of Xinjiang Uighurs × Earlier in September, the Ministry of Commerce began investigating whether PVH, the corporate parent of the clothing brands Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger, had taken "discriminatory measures" for not buying products from Xinjiang. Notably, for Volkswagen, the only issue was not just the political liability but also because it was losing money as it was designed to make gasoline-powered cars. But China has now swiftly adopted electric vehicles in the last four years. Moreover, half of the cars sold in China are now either battery-electric or plug-in hybrid cars. (With inputs from agencies)

Volkswagen to close China's Xinjiang plant amid concerns for human rights abuses

With the world's attention diverted towards the events in Ukraine, China is continuing its repression of the Tibetan culture and identity, even introducing more draconian methods to accomplish the task, a media report said on Saturday.

A new code of conduct for members of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in Tibet explicitly forbids party members from all forms of religiosity in both public and private life. The six-point code of conduct is the first party regulation that clearly and comprehensively details the specific types of religiosity forbidden for party members in Tibet, The Hong Kong Post reported.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinese-city-of-qingdao-reports-omicron-outbreak-among-students-459466">Chinese city of Qingdao reports Omicron outbreak among students</a>

The new regulation forbids wearing rosary beads or religious imagery, forwarding or liking religious materials online and circumambulating mountains and lakes. Party members are also required to take on an active role to propagate the party's anti-religion stance by advising relatives to downplay their religious consciousness, not set up altars or hang religious imagery in homes, and seek party approval before inviting religious personnel to conduct rituals for customary occasions such as weddings and funerals, the report said.Taking the cultural oppression into people's homes, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has forced and even coerced the Tibetan people to place Xi Jinping's picture into the Tibetan Buddhist altars, the report further said.

The development comes amid other measures by the Chinese administration. A new regulation called 'Measures on the Administration of Internet Religious Informative Services'&nbsp;which came into effect on March 1 bans all foreign organizations and individuals from spreading religious content online in China and Tibet except those who have acquired government licenses.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-reiterates-reunification-with-taiwan-firmly-opposes-foreign-interference-459268">China reiterates 'reunification' with Taiwan, firmly opposes foreign interference</a>

At the same time, China has also started to demolish structures symbolizing Tibetan Buddhism including old statues and monasteries with three such demolitions taking place since December last year as per reports.

The actions of the Chinese authorities in Tibet over the past few months have drawn heavy criticism from Tibetan religious leaders and the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA).In January, Ling Rimpoche (reincarnation of the Dalai Lama's teacher) rebuked China for the destruction of Tibetan Buddhist literature and Buddhist identity including the destruction of the Dalai Lama's palace, a huge number of monasteries and Buddha statues of historical and religious value as well as systematically reducing the Tibetans to a state of destitution in their own country. He further emphasized that the Chinese are destroying Buddhism in order to destroy the identity of the Tibetans.

Watch |&nbsp;China resists from directly condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine at UNSC

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Earlier in November last year, Sikyong Penpa Tsering of the Central Tibetan Administration, Dharamshala accused China of implementing a 'One nation, one party, one language, one culture'&nbsp;policy in occupied Tibet and said that Tibetans as a people and culture was being subjected to a slow death, the report said.

In the same month, US President Biden had raised concerns about China's practices in Xinjiang, Tibet, and Hong Kong with Xi Jinping during an online discussion.

With the world's attention diverted towards the events in Ukraine, China is continuing its repression of the Tibetan culture and identity, even introducing more draconian methods to accomplish the task, a media report said on Saturday.

With the world's attention diverted towards the events in Ukraine, China is continuing its repression of the Tibetan culture and identity, even introducing more draconian methods to accomplish the task, a media report said on Saturday. A new code of conduct for members of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in Tibet explicitly forbids party members from all forms of religiosity in both public and private life. The six-point code of conduct is the first party regulation that clearly and comprehensively details the specific types of religiosity forbidden for party members in Tibet, The Hong Kong Post reported. Also read | Chinese city of Qingdao reports Omicron outbreak among students The new regulation forbids wearing rosary beads or religious imagery, forwarding or liking religious materials online and circumambulating mountains and lakes. Party members are also required to take on an active role to propagate the party's anti-religion stance by advising relatives to downplay their religious consciousness, not set up altars or hang religious imagery in homes, and seek party approval before inviting religious personnel to conduct rituals for customary occasions such as weddings and funerals, the report said.Taking the cultural oppression into people's homes, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has forced and even coerced the Tibetan people to place Xi Jinping's picture into the Tibetan Buddhist altars, the report further said. The development comes amid other measures by the Chinese administration. A new regulation called 'Measures on the Administration of Internet Religious Informative Services' which came into effect on March 1 bans all foreign organizations and individuals from spreading religious content online in China and Tibet except those who have acquired government licenses. Also read | China reiterates 'reunification' with Taiwan, firmly opposes foreign interference At the same time, China has also started to demolish structures symbolizing Tibetan Buddhism including old statues and monasteries with three such demolitions taking place since December last year as per reports. The actions of the Chinese authorities in Tibet over the past few months have drawn heavy criticism from Tibetan religious leaders and the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA).In January, Ling Rimpoche (reincarnation of the Dalai Lama's teacher) rebuked China for the destruction of Tibetan Buddhist literature and Buddhist identity including the destruction of the Dalai Lama's palace, a huge number of monasteries and Buddha statues of historical and religious value as well as systematically reducing the Tibetans to a state of destitution in their own country. He further emphasized that the Chinese are destroying Buddhism in order to destroy the identity of the Tibetans. Watch | China resists from directly condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine at UNSC Earlier in November last year, Sikyong Penpa Tsering of the Central Tibetan Administration, Dharamshala accused China of implementing a 'One nation, one party, one language, one culture' policy in occupied Tibet and said that Tibetans as a people and culture was being subjected to a slow death, the report said. In the same month, US President Biden had raised concerns about China's practices in Xinjiang, Tibet, and Hong Kong with Xi Jinping during an online discussion.

China using draconian methods to destroy identity of Tibetans

Now in a move that can further worsen the already strained tasks between the United States and China the United States has now interestingly decided to impose human rights-related sanctions on China for its alleged atrocities in the Xinjiang province.

The U.S imposes human rights sanctions

China's US embassy recently tweeted an article claiming that Uighur women are no longer "baby-making machines". However, the post has now been&nbsp;removed by the social media giant.

The Chinese embassy in the US had the post linked to an article that openly denied all accusations of forced sterilisation in Xinjiang. Twitter claimed the post "violated the Twitter rules".

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ugyhur-activists-sister-sentenced-to-20-years-of-jail-in-china-us-calls-for-her-release-354240">Ugyhur activist's sister sentenced to 20 years of jail in China, US calls for her release</a>

Later, the same article was reposted with a different caption. "Study shows the population change in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region involves the overall improvement in population quality. An increasing number of youths chose to spend more time and energy on personal development," the post by the Chinese embassy in the US reads.&nbsp;

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Study shows the population change in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region involves the overall improvement in population quality. An increasing number of youths chose to spend more time and energy on personal development. <a href="https://t.co/lSn5EpCJFK">https://t.co/lSn5EpCJFK</a> <a href="https://t.co/g7asRRDrd6">pic.twitter.com/g7asRRDrd6</a>
— Chinese Embassy in US (@ChineseEmbinUS) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChineseEmbinUS/status/1347224755485749249?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 7, 2021</a></blockquote>
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The story in question has been originally published by the Chinese mouthpiece&nbsp;Xinhua and claims to have taken material from a study titled 'An Analysis Report on Population Change in Xinjiang' by&nbsp;Li Xiaoxia, a researcher for the Xinjiang Development Research Center.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-confirms-uighur-muslim-imprisoned-on-terrorism-charges-353614">China confirms Uighur doctor imprisoned on terrorism charges</a>

As per this study, the "natural growth rate of population in Xinjiang decreased from 11.4 per 1,000 people in 2017 to 6.13 per 1,000 people in 2018". This has been due to the implementation of family planning policy and a changed mindset about marriage and reproduction, as per the Chinese mouthpiece.

It denies allegations made by Adrian Zenz who had reportedly claimed the massive change in the population of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region is due to forced sterilisation. The study, however, claims the change is due to improvement in the population control and is a voluntary action by the locals, rather than a forced measure the Chinese government.

This study has come at a time when the Asian country has been severe facing allegations against the inhumane treatment towards the&nbsp;Uygur population — including forced labour,&nbsp;suppression of religious activity, human and digital surveillance, and forced sterilisation to control the population of the area. Following various allegations and studies, many companies have cut ties with the industries producing in the region and several international organisations and governments have also spoken out and have offered support to the locals of the region.

China's US embassy recently tweeted an article claiming that Uighur women are no longer "baby-making machines". However, the post has now been removed by the social media giant.

China's US embassy recently tweeted an article claiming that Uighur women are no longer "baby-making machines". However, the post has now been removed by the social media giant. The Chinese embassy in the US had the post linked to an article that openly denied all accusations of forced sterilisation in Xinjiang. Twitter claimed the post "violated the Twitter rules". Also read| Ugyhur activist's sister sentenced to 20 years of jail in China, US calls for her release Later, the same article was reposted with a different caption. "Study shows the population change in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region involves the overall improvement in population quality. An increasing number of youths chose to spend more time and energy on personal development," the post by the Chinese embassy in the US reads. Study shows the population change in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region involves the overall improvement in population quality. An increasing number of youths chose to spend more time and energy on personal development. https://t.co/lSn5EpCJFK pic.twitter.com/g7asRRDrd6 — Chinese Embassy in US (@ChineseEmbinUS) January 7, 2021 × The story in question has been originally published by the Chinese mouthpiece Xinhua and claims to have taken material from a study titled 'An Analysis Report on Population Change in Xinjiang' by Li Xiaoxia, a researcher for the Xinjiang Development Research Center. Also read| China confirms Uighur doctor imprisoned on terrorism charges As per this study, the "natural growth rate of population in Xinjiang decreased from 11.4 per 1,000 people in 2017 to 6.13 per 1,000 people in 2018". This has been due to the implementation of family planning policy and a changed mindset about marriage and reproduction, as per the Chinese mouthpiece. It denies allegations made by Adrian Zenz who had reportedly claimed the massive change in the population of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region is due to forced sterilisation. The study, however, claims the change is due to improvement in the population control and is a voluntary action by the locals, rather than a forced measure the Chinese government. This study has come at a time when the Asian country has been severe facing allegations against the inhumane treatment towards the Uygur population — including forced labour, suppression of religious activity, human and digital surveillance, and forced sterilisation to control the population of the area. Following various allegations and studies, many companies have cut ties with the industries producing in the region and several international organisations and governments have also spoken out and have offered support to the locals of the region.

Twitter removes Chinese embassy's post claiming Uighur women not forcefully sterilised

The United Nations has called for decisive measures to protect fundamental freedoms in China. WION's Executive Editor Palki Sharma Upadhyay gets you the details.

Gravitas: UN calls out China on human rights

Ozil Slams Muslim World Over Silence On The Rights Abuse Of Uighurs In China Damned if they do, damned if they don't! Mesut Ozil's stance slamming the abuse of human rights of uighur muslims in Xinjiang in China has sparked strong reactions from Beijing.

Gravitas: Ozil Slams Violation Of Human Rights In Xinjiang In China

China's mass detention and surveillance of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-is-this-the-proof-of-chinas-atrocities-on-uighur-muslims-254842">ethnic Uighurs</a> in Xinjiang province came under fire at the United Nations Tuesday, with 23 nations, mostly western,&nbsp;backing a British statement condemning Beijing's human rights record.

But China's allies countered with a statement of their own that won even broader support, with some 54 nations backing a Belarus text that heaped effusive praise on Beijing's "remarkable achievements in the field of human rights."

They included Pakistan, Russia, Egypt, Bolivia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Serbia,&nbsp;which have all been criticised for their own rights records.

The duelling statements at the UN General Assembly are non-binding, but highlight the global divide on China's human rights record,&nbsp;&nbsp;particularly as Beijing moves to flex its diplomatic and economic clout abroad.

Rights groups say more than one million Uighurs and other mostly Muslim ethnic minorities have been rounded up in internment camps in Xinjiang.

After initially denying their existence, Beijing now defends the Xinjiang camps as "vocational education centres" that are necessary to counter religious extremism and terrorism.

China has embarked on a global public relations campaign to win support for its Xinjiang policies,&nbsp;even convincing Muslim-majority nations such as Saudi Arabia and Pakistan to voice support.

Britain's UN statement Tuesday expressed concerns "regarding credible reports of mass detention; efforts to restrict cultural and religious practices; mass surveillance disproportionately targeting ethnic Uighurs; and other human rights violations and abuses".

"The Chinese government should urgently... (refrain) from the arbitrary detention of Uighurs and members of other Muslim communities," it said.

Countries backing it included the United States, Germany, France, Canada, Japan and New Zealand.

But that statement was swiftly countered by the one from Belarus,&nbsp;where China is building a massive industrial park,&nbsp;which praised Beijing's rights record.

"We commend China's remarkable achievements in the field of human rights by adhering to the people-centred development philosophy and protecting and promoting human rights through development," the statement said.

"We also appreciate China's contributions to the international human rights cause," it added while criticizing the "politicization" of the issue of human rights at the UN.

Uighurs, a predominantly Muslim ethnic group, make up the largest portion of the population of Xinjiang, a vast region in northwestern China.

China's mass detention and surveillance of ethnic Uighurs in Xinjiang province came under fire at the United Nations Tuesday, with 23 nations, mostly western, backing a British statement condemning Beijing's human rights record.

China's mass detention and surveillance of ethnic Uighurs in Xinjiang province came under fire at the United Nations Tuesday, with 23 nations, mostly western, backing a British statement condemning Beijing's human rights record. But China's allies countered with a statement of their own that won even broader support, with some 54 nations backing a Belarus text that heaped effusive praise on Beijing's "remarkable achievements in the field of human rights." They included Pakistan, Russia, Egypt, Bolivia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Serbia, which have all been criticised for their own rights records. The duelling statements at the UN General Assembly are non-binding, but highlight the global divide on China's human rights record, particularly as Beijing moves to flex its diplomatic and economic clout abroad. Rights groups say more than one million Uighurs and other mostly Muslim ethnic minorities have been rounded up in internment camps in Xinjiang. After initially denying their existence, Beijing now defends the Xinjiang camps as "vocational education centres" that are necessary to counter religious extremism and terrorism. China has embarked on a global public relations campaign to win support for its Xinjiang policies, even convincing Muslim-majority nations such as Saudi Arabia and Pakistan to voice support. Britain's UN statement Tuesday expressed concerns "regarding credible reports of mass detention; efforts to restrict cultural and religious practices; mass surveillance disproportionately targeting ethnic Uighurs; and other human rights violations and abuses". "The Chinese government should urgently... (refrain) from the arbitrary detention of Uighurs and members of other Muslim communities," it said. Countries backing it included the United States, Germany, France, Canada, Japan and New Zealand. But that statement was swiftly countered by the one from Belarus, where China is building a massive industrial park, which praised Beijing's rights record. "We commend China's remarkable achievements in the field of human rights by adhering to the people-centred development philosophy and protecting and promoting human rights through development," the statement said. "We also appreciate China's contributions to the international human rights cause," it added while criticizing the "politicization" of the issue of human rights at the UN. Uighurs, a predominantly Muslim ethnic group, make up the largest portion of the population of Xinjiang, a vast region in northwestern China.

U.N. members split on China's Uighur rights record

President Trump is also considering possible trade actions against China, increasingly frustrated over Beijing&#39;s inaction on North Korea and bilateral trade issues.

Three senior administration officials told Reuters that Trump was impatient with China and was looking at a range of options, including tariffs on steel imports, which have previously been discussed by Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross.

It remains unclear whether the President will actually take action.

The Trump&nbsp;administration has also slammed China for its poor human rights record, placing it on a list of the world&#39;s worst human trafficking offenders along with Sudan and North Korea.

In its annual &quot;Trafficking in Persons Report&quot; released Tuesday, the State Department stated that ethnic Uighurs were being coerced into forced labor, and Beijing was repatriating North Koreans without checking to see if they were trafficking victims.

Beijing &quot;does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so,&quot; the report said.

President Trump is considering possible trade actions against China, increasingly frustrated over Beijing's inaction on North Korea and bilateral trade issues

President Trump is also considering possible trade actions against China, increasingly frustrated over Beijing's inaction on North Korea and bilateral trade issues. Three senior administration officials told Reuters that Trump was impatient with China and was looking at a range of options, including tariffs on steel imports, which have previously been discussed by Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross. It remains unclear whether the President will actually take action. The Trump administration has also slammed China for its poor human rights record, placing it on a list of the world's worst human trafficking offenders along with Sudan and North Korea. In its annual "Trafficking in Persons Report" released Tuesday, the State Department stated that ethnic Uighurs were being coerced into forced labor, and Beijing was repatriating North Koreans without checking to see if they were trafficking victims. Beijing "does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so," the report said.

President Trump mulling trade actions against China: Report

China on Sunday boasted harsh punishments meted out to rights defenders was the legal system&#39;s top accomplishment last year, as the country reported a jump in the number of corruption cases tried in its courts.&nbsp;

Activists and lawyers are a constant thorn in the side of Beijing and are often accused of being in cahoots with foreign organisations trying to undermine national security and stir up opposition to the government.

In an annual report to China&#39;s rubber-stamp parliament, Chief Justice Zhou Qiang said the &quot;severe punishment of the crime of endangering state security&quot; committed by rights defenders was a key achievement in 2016.

It ranked as the leading item in a list of measures taken last year to &quot;safeguard human rights&quot; in China.&nbsp;

Among the rights defenders punished and singled out for mention in the report was prominent lawyer Zhou Shifeng, who in August was sentenced to seven years in prison for &quot;subversion&quot;.&nbsp;

His Fengrui law firm was known for taking on cases considered sensitive by the ruling Communist Party, such as those of dissident scholars, victims of sexual abuse and members of banned religious groups.&nbsp;

The number of corruption cases tried in China&#39;s courts last year rose by about a third from 2015, chief justice Zhou said, vowing the country would maintain the momentum of President Xi Jinping&#39;s anti-graft campaign.

Xi has presided over a much-publicised crackdown on rampant government corruption since coming to power in 2012, with more than one million officials punished in what some compare to a political purge.

In 2016, Chinese courts heard 45,000 graft cases involving 63,000 people, up from 34,000 cases in 2015.&nbsp;

For overall hearings, the Supreme People&#39;s Court heard nearly 23,000 cases and local courts heard some 23 million last year, with only 1,076 defendants found not guilty, according to data cited by Zhou.&nbsp;

Chinese courts have a conviction rate of 99.92 per cent.&nbsp;

(AFP)

Activists are a constant thorn in the side of Beijing and are accused of being in cahoots with foreigners trying to roil national security

China on Sunday boasted harsh punishments meted out to rights defenders was the legal system's top accomplishment last year, as the country reported a jump in the number of corruption cases tried in its courts. Activists and lawyers are a constant thorn in the side of Beijing and are often accused of being in cahoots with foreign organisations trying to undermine national security and stir up opposition to the government. In an annual report to China's rubber-stamp parliament, Chief Justice Zhou Qiang said the "severe punishment of the crime of endangering state security" committed by rights defenders was a key achievement in 2016. It ranked as the leading item in a list of measures taken last year to "safeguard human rights" in China. Among the rights defenders punished and singled out for mention in the report was prominent lawyer Zhou Shifeng, who in August was sentenced to seven years in prison for "subversion". His Fengrui law firm was known for taking on cases considered sensitive by the ruling Communist Party, such as those of dissident scholars, victims of sexual abuse and members of banned religious groups. The number of corruption cases tried in China's courts last year rose by about a third from 2015, chief justice Zhou said, vowing the country would maintain the momentum of President Xi Jinping's anti-graft campaign. Xi has presided over a much-publicised crackdown on rampant government corruption since coming to power in 2012, with more than one million officials punished in what some compare to a political purge. In 2016, Chinese courts heard 45,000 graft cases involving 63,000 people, up from 34,000 cases in 2015. For overall hearings, the Supreme People's Court heard nearly 23,000 cases and local courts heard some 23 million last year, with only 1,076 defendants found not guilty, according to data cited by Zhou. Chinese courts have a conviction rate of 99.92 per cent. (AFP)

Punishing rights defenders was legal system's top accomplishment in 2016: China