Erkin Tuniyaz, the governor of China's Xinjiang region, is believed to have cancelled his controversial trip to the United Kingdom (UK), the Foreign Office said on Tuesday (February 15). Tuniyaz was supposed to visit the UK this week and meet with Foreign Office officials- a move that sparked anger among British lawmakers. Speaking to the news agency AFP, a spokesperson from the Foreign Office said "we understand the Governor of Xinjiang has cancelled his visit to the UK." The spokesperson added that the government would continue to use all opportunities to act against China's human rights abuses in Xinjiang.&nbsp;

Last week, the MPs tabled an urgent question to quiz the Rishi Sunak government about why Tuniyaz was allowed to travel (to the UK) and why he was meeting with the above officials. In response, Foreign Office Minister Leo Docherty said the government did not invite Xinjiang's governor to the UK, and that the meeting would have been the opportunity to send a very strong message to someone who was involved in the governance of this Chinese region. &nbsp;

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/50-countries-at-un-condemn-china-for-xinjiang-human-rights-violations-530081">50 countries at UN condemn China for Xinjiang human rights violations</a>

"Under no circumstances would he be dignified with a ministerial meeting," Docherty added and pointed out that China's actions in Xinjiang were of course abhorrent and the government would not legitimise them in any way. In 2022, the British Parliament passed a non-binding declaration that crimes against humanity and genocide were being committed in Xinjiang.&nbsp;

For years, China has been accused by rights groups and many governments around the world of abuses against Uyghurs, a mainly Muslim ethnic minority that has a population of around 10 million in Xinjiang. A recent report by the United Nations (UN)&nbsp;found credible allegations of torture and forced labour in the region. However, Beijing for long has denied all allegations and claimed that the United States (US) and Western allies have been using the issue as a "political tool", AFP reported on Tuesday.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Xinjian Governor Erkin Tuniyaz has defended the Chinese government's "de-radicalisation" policies in the country's northwest, including the use of detention facilities. In 2021, Tuniyaz was sanctioned by the US with the Treasury Department saying that during his tenure, over one million Uyghurs and members of other predominantly Muslim ethnic minority groups had been detained in the region.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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Erkin Tuniyaz, the governor of China's Xinjiang region, is believed to have cancelled his controversial trip to the United Kingdom (UK), the Foreign Office said on Tuesday (February 15).

Erkin Tuniyaz, the governor of China's Xinjiang region, is believed to have cancelled his controversial trip to the United Kingdom (UK), the Foreign Office said on Tuesday (February 15). Tuniyaz was supposed to visit the UK this week and meet with Foreign Office officials- a move that sparked anger among British lawmakers. Speaking to the news agency AFP, a spokesperson from the Foreign Office said "we understand the Governor of Xinjiang has cancelled his visit to the UK." The spokesperson added that the government would continue to use all opportunities to act against China's human rights abuses in Xinjiang. Last week, the MPs tabled an urgent question to quiz the Rishi Sunak government about why Tuniyaz was allowed to travel (to the UK) and why he was meeting with the above officials. In response, Foreign Office Minister Leo Docherty said the government did not invite Xinjiang's governor to the UK, and that the meeting would have been the opportunity to send a very strong message to someone who was involved in the governance of this Chinese region. ALSO READ | 50 countries at UN condemn China for Xinjiang human rights violations "Under no circumstances would he be dignified with a ministerial meeting," Docherty added and pointed out that China's actions in Xinjiang were of course abhorrent and the government would not legitimise them in any way. In 2022, the British Parliament passed a non-binding declaration that crimes against humanity and genocide were being committed in Xinjiang. For years, China has been accused by rights groups and many governments around the world of abuses against Uyghurs, a mainly Muslim ethnic minority that has a population of around 10 million in Xinjiang. A recent report by the United Nations (UN) found credible allegations of torture and forced labour in the region. However, Beijing for long has denied all allegations and claimed that the United States (US) and Western allies have been using the issue as a "political tool", AFP reported on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Xinjian Governor Erkin Tuniyaz has defended the Chinese government's "de-radicalisation" policies in the country's northwest, including the use of detention facilities. In 2021, Tuniyaz was sanctioned by the US with the Treasury Department saying that during his tenure, over one million Uyghurs and members of other predominantly Muslim ethnic minority groups had been detained in the region. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

After row over Uyghur abuse, Xinjiang's Governor Tuniyaz cancels controversial UK trip

Amid outrage from lawmakers in the UK&nbsp;over the abuse of the rights of the Uyghyr Muslims in the Xinjiang region of China, the United Kingdom defended the possibility that its officials will hold talks with Erkin Tuniyaz, the governor of the Chinese region. The lawmakers have been demanding the government block the Chinese official's trip, Reuters reported.&nbsp;

Leo Docherty, the junior foreign office minister said that Tuniyaz might visit the UK next week and that he had not been invited by London and would not be 'dignified' with any ministerial meeting.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/with-322-0-support-canadian-parliament-votes-for-uyghur-resettlement-in-canada-558287">Also&nbsp;read |&nbsp;With 322-0 support, Canadian parliament votes for Uyghur resettlement in country</a>

Docherty told the lawmakers, "China's actions in Xinjiang are of course abhorrent and we will not legitimise them in any way."

"However, robust engagement to challenge human rights violations and stand up for the rights of the oppressed is at the core of the UK's diplomatic work around the world... hence officials would be prepared to offer him a meeting."

Docerty said that the meeting with Tuniyaz would be to tell him that the UK would raise the treatment of "Uyghur Muslims" and "not relent from exposing the horrors to which they are being subjected."

He added that the Chinese governor is expected to travel on a diplomatic passport and a visa is not required.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/cheng-quanguo-architect-of-the-uyghur-genocide-ousted-from-chinas-top-leadership-body-527672">Also read |&nbsp;Chen Quanguo, architect of the 'Uyghur genocide', ousted from China’s top leadership body</a>

Uyghurs Muslims are mainly an ethnic minority that has a population of almost 10 million in Xinjiang, including some living in internment camps. Countries including the US have accused China of genocide.&nbsp;China has repeatedly denied the allegations.&nbsp;

The United States has sanctioned Tuniyaz, but the United Kingdom has not.&nbsp;

Opposition UK MPs have criticised the government's stance on Tuniyaz and questioned why he had not been sanctioned.&nbsp;

Iain Duncan Smith, a&nbsp;Conservative,&nbsp;said that it's government's "weak response."

(With inputs from agencies)

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Amid outrage from lawmakers in the UK over the abuse of the rights of the Uyghyr Muslims in the Xinjiang region of China, the United Kingdom defended the possibility that its officials will hold talks with Erkin Tuniyaz, the governor of the Chinese region.

Amid outrage from lawmakers in the UK over the abuse of the rights of the Uyghyr Muslims in the Xinjiang region of China, the United Kingdom defended the possibility that its officials will hold talks with Erkin Tuniyaz, the governor of the Chinese region. The lawmakers have been demanding the government block the Chinese official's trip, Reuters reported. Leo Docherty, the junior foreign office minister said that Tuniyaz might visit the UK next week and that he had not been invited by London and would not be 'dignified' with any ministerial meeting. Also read | With 322-0 support, Canadian parliament votes for Uyghur resettlement in country Docherty told the lawmakers, "China's actions in Xinjiang are of course abhorrent and we will not legitimise them in any way." "However, robust engagement to challenge human rights violations and stand up for the rights of the oppressed is at the core of the UK's diplomatic work around the world... hence officials would be prepared to offer him a meeting." Docerty said that the meeting with Tuniyaz would be to tell him that the UK would raise the treatment of "Uyghur Muslims" and "not relent from exposing the horrors to which they are being subjected." He added that the Chinese governor is expected to travel on a diplomatic passport and a visa is not required. Also read | Chen Quanguo, architect of the 'Uyghur genocide', ousted from China’s top leadership body Uyghurs Muslims are mainly an ethnic minority that has a population of almost 10 million in Xinjiang, including some living in internment camps. Countries including the US have accused China of genocide. China has repeatedly denied the allegations. The United States has sanctioned Tuniyaz, but the United Kingdom has not. Opposition UK MPs have criticised the government's stance on Tuniyaz and questioned why he had not been sanctioned. Iain Duncan Smith, a Conservative, said that it's government's "weak response." (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

UK govt defends possible talks with Xinjiang governor Erkin Tuniyaz amid outrage from MPs

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After row over Uyghur abuse, Xinjiang's Governor Tuniyaz cancels controversial UK trip

UK govt defends possible talks with Xinjiang governor Erkin Tuniyaz amid outrage from MPs