Pakistan Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../pakistan-a-hub-of-forced-conversion-accuses- india-of-totalitarianism-and-racism-276082">Imran Khan</a> landed in office in the year 2018 after riding a populist wave, and his tenure has been marked with the rise of Islamic extremism, a tumultuous economy, clashes with neighbouring India, among other things.

Also read-&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/no-transparency-in-cpec-projects-companies-blacklisted-by-world-bank-got-contracts-alice-wells-275962">No transparency in CPEC projects; companies blacklisted by World Bank got contracts: Alice Wells</a>

In an interview with Foreign Policy at the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../afghanistans-ghani-says-relationship-with-trump -is-excellent-276029">World Economic Forum</a> in Davos, the Pakistani Prime Minister was asked about his silence on the matter of the persecution of the Muslim communities in Xinjiang and China. His response, though concise, conveyed a harsher, narrow-minded message.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo">
One of the two principal reasons the Prime Minister gave was that the events in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../wuhan-coronavirus-who-yet-to-decide-if-china- virus-is-a-global-health-emergency-276018">China</a> and Kashmir are happening on very different scales and cannot be compared. He justified this by stating that he does not know much about it and occasionally reads articles about it. The interviewer stated that around 1 million to 2 million people were being detained in Xinjiang and that it was not a minuscule matter.
</div>

Khan explained that Kashmir has 8 million people who are living under siege and have been doing so for months. These incidents made Kashmir a much larger and more serious matter than the detention of Chinese Muslims in Xinjiang, according to the Pakistani Prime Minister.

Khan went on, briefly mentioning the Uighurs and changing gears. He stated that China has been a helpful ally to Pakistan when the latter hit rock bottom, they are grateful to the Chinese government and their issues with China will be dealt with privately.

The interviewer stated that the United States and other nations have warned that China may be luring Pakistan into a debt trap the way it did with Sri Lanka and others. He went on to ask the Prime Minister about contingencies that he had to avoid ending up in such a situation.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan landed in office in the year 2018 after riding a populist wave, and his tenure has been marked with the rise of Islamic extremism, a tumultuous economy, clashes with neighbouring India, among other things.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan landed in office in the year 2018 after riding a populist wave, and his tenure has been marked with the rise of Islamic extremism, a tumultuous economy, clashes with neighbouring India, among other things. Also read- No transparency in CPEC projects; companies blacklisted by World Bank got contracts: Alice Wells In an interview with Foreign Policy at the World Economic Forum in Davos, the Pakistani Prime Minister was asked about his silence on the matter of the persecution of the Muslim communities in Xinjiang and China. His response, though concise, conveyed a harsher, narrow-minded message. One of the two principal reasons the Prime Minister gave was that the events in China and Kashmir are happening on very different scales and cannot be compared. He justified this by stating that he does not know much about it and occasionally reads articles about it. The interviewer stated that around 1 million to 2 million people were being detained in Xinjiang and that it was not a minuscule matter. Khan explained that Kashmir has 8 million people who are living under siege and have been doing so for months. These incidents made Kashmir a much larger and more serious matter than the detention of Chinese Muslims in Xinjiang, according to the Pakistani Prime Minister. Khan went on, briefly mentioning the Uighurs and changing gears. He stated that China has been a helpful ally to Pakistan when the latter hit rock bottom, they are grateful to the Chinese government and their issues with China will be dealt with privately. The interviewer stated that the United States and other nations have warned that China may be luring Pakistan into a debt trap the way it did with Sri Lanka and others. He went on to ask the Prime Minister about contingencies that he had to avoid ending up in such a situation.

For Pakistan PM, atrocities over 2 million Uighur Muslims is 'nothing', says he won't criticise China because 'they helped us'

At least half a million <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amid-repression-of-uighur-muslims-china-to-edit-quran-and-bible-to-reflect-socialist-values-270572">Uighur Muslim children</a> in China's Xinjian province have been taken away from their parents and forcibly put in "boarding schools", according to the New York Times.

The report says the aim of authorities is to instil "loyalty to China and the Communist party". Xinjiang’s Uighurs from Turkish decent form majority of population in Xinjiang. Earlier in the year, Turkey's foreign ministry had called China's crackdown on Uighurs "a great embarrassment for humanity".

Reports say the schools are mainly meant for indoctrination of young minds where the Uighur children receive lessons on Chinese language, patriotism and loyalty to the Communist party.

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-the-plight-of-uighur-children-271130/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The facilities are out of bounds to outsiders which are heavily guarded. The children are allowed to meet their parents only once a week or two, according to reports. The government has recruited teachers from across China in these schools where the language of instruction is Chinese.

The United Nations estimates at least 1 million ethnic Uighur Muslims have been detained in Xinjiang in what China describes as “vocational training centres”.

Last month, in a classified report leaked to the public by an international group of journalists, alleged repressive working conditions in&nbsp;detention camps in Xinjiang.

The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) detailed guidelines which served as a "manual" for operating the camps with instructions on how to prevent escapes, maintain secrecy of the camps' existence including "when to let detainees see relatives or even use the toilet". The Chinese foreign ministry dismissed the report.

China has stridently maintained that Xinjiang affairs are its internal matter. Beijing has maintained that vocational training being carried is meant to help stamp out Islamist extremism and separatism and to teach locals new skills.

At least half a million Uighur Muslim children in China's Xinjian province have been taken away from their parents and forcibly put in "boarding schools", according to the New York Times.

At least half a million Uighur Muslim children in China's Xinjian province have been taken away from their parents and forcibly put in "boarding schools", according to the New York Times. The report says the aim of authorities is to instil "loyalty to China and the Communist party". Xinjiang’s Uighurs from Turkish decent form majority of population in Xinjiang. Earlier in the year, Turkey's foreign ministry had called China's crackdown on Uighurs "a great embarrassment for humanity". Reports say the schools are mainly meant for indoctrination of young minds where the Uighur children receive lessons on Chinese language, patriotism and loyalty to the Communist party. Watch: The facilities are out of bounds to outsiders which are heavily guarded. The children are allowed to meet their parents only once a week or two, according to reports. The government has recruited teachers from across China in these schools where the language of instruction is Chinese. The United Nations estimates at least 1 million ethnic Uighur Muslims have been detained in Xinjiang in what China describes as “vocational training centres”. Last month, in a classified report leaked to the public by an international group of journalists, alleged repressive working conditions in detention camps in Xinjiang. The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) detailed guidelines which served as a "manual" for operating the camps with instructions on how to prevent escapes, maintain secrecy of the camps' existence including "when to let detainees see relatives or even use the toilet". The Chinese foreign ministry dismissed the report. China has stridently maintained that Xinjiang affairs are its internal matter. Beijing has maintained that vocational training being carried is meant to help stamp out Islamist extremism and separatism and to teach locals new skills.

Uighur children forcibly put in 'boarding schools': Report

China on Friday slammed the European Union parliament after it passed a resolution calling for targeted sanctions against the country's officials over the treatment of Uighur minority.

While addressing a regular press briefing, foreign ministry spokesman, Geng Shuang said, EU should "abandon their double standards on counter-terrorism" and called to stop "interfering in China's internal affairs".

"The people of Xinjiang and the Chinese people have a greater right to speak (about the situation in Xinjiang) than those who are far away in Europe, who have never been to Xinjiang," Shuang added.

China has faced international condemnation for rounding up an estimated one million Uighurs and other mostly Muslim ethnic minorities in internment camps in the northwestern region of Xinjiang.

On Thursday, the European Union Parliament approved a resolution condemning the mass incarceration of Uighurs minority.

Members of European Parliament called for "targeted sanctions and freeze assets, if deemed appropriate and effective, against the Chinese officials responsible for severe repression of basic rights in Xinjiang" in the resolution.

They also said that China's human rights record had worsened in the past year, and called for the Chinese government to "immediately end the practice of arbitrary detentions without any charge, trial or conviction".

(With inputs from agencies)

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

China on Friday slammed the European Union parliament after it passed a resolution calling for targeted sanctions against the country's officials over the treatment of Uighur minority.

China on Friday slammed the European Union parliament after it passed a resolution calling for targeted sanctions against the country's officials over the treatment of Uighur minority. While addressing a regular press briefing, foreign ministry spokesman, Geng Shuang said, EU should "abandon their double standards on counter-terrorism" and called to stop "interfering in China's internal affairs". "The people of Xinjiang and the Chinese people have a greater right to speak (about the situation in Xinjiang) than those who are far away in Europe, who have never been to Xinjiang," Shuang added. China has faced international condemnation for rounding up an estimated one million Uighurs and other mostly Muslim ethnic minorities in internment camps in the northwestern region of Xinjiang. On Thursday, the European Union Parliament approved a resolution condemning the mass incarceration of Uighurs minority. Members of European Parliament called for "targeted sanctions and freeze assets, if deemed appropriate and effective, against the Chinese officials responsible for severe repression of basic rights in Xinjiang" in the resolution. They also said that China's human rights record had worsened in the past year, and called for the Chinese government to "immediately end the practice of arbitrary detentions without any charge, trial or conviction". (With inputs from agencies)

'EU should abandon their double standards': China slams European Union Parliament over  Uighur sanctions resolution

Chinese internet company NetEase has said it has deleted <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-can-censor-ozil-but-cannot-hide-human-rights-violations-against-uighurs-pompeo-268791">Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil </a>from its mobile game service Pro Evolution Soccer (PES) after his remarks on Uighurs in Xinjiang province last week.

"The German player Ozil posted an extreme statement about China on social media," NetEase said in a statement on China's social media platform Weibo.

"The speech hurt the feelings of Chinese fans and violated the sports spirit of love and peace. We do not understand, accept or forgive this," it added.

In a social post last week, the ex-World Cup winning star&nbsp;&nbsp;had said that in "east Turkistan, the bleeding wound of the Ummah, resisting against the persecutors trying to separate them from their religion. They burn their Qurans. They shut down their mosques. They ban their schools. They kill their holy men. The men are forced into camps and their families are forced to live with Chinese men. The women are forced to marry Chinese men."&nbsp;

"But Muslims are silent. They won’t make a noise. They have abandoned them. Don’t they know that giving consent for persecution is persecution itself?" the Arsenal star added.

US secretary of state Mike Pompeo had waded into the controversy on Monday asserting that China cannot hide its "gross human rights violations perpetrated against Uighurs." &nbsp;Pompeo said China’s Communist Party propaganda outlets can censor <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/arsenal-star-mesut-ozil-condemns-muslim-silence-over-uighurs-268231">Mesut Ozil and Arsenal games</a> all season long, "but the truth will prevail".

&nbsp;"The CCP can’t hide its gross human rights violations perpetrated against Uighurs and other religious faiths from the world," the US secretary of state added. However, China's foreign ministry declared that Ozil's "judgment was influenced by untruthful remarks". Chinese foreign ministry spokesman invited Ozil to Xinjiang stating that he was "deceived by fake news".

Chinese internet company NetEase has said it has deleted Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil from its mobile game service Pro Evolution Soccer (PES) after his remarks on Uighurs in Xinjiang province last week.

Chinese internet company NetEase has said it has deleted Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil from its mobile game service Pro Evolution Soccer (PES) after his remarks on Uighurs in Xinjiang province last week. "The German player Ozil posted an extreme statement about China on social media," NetEase said in a statement on China's social media platform Weibo. "The speech hurt the feelings of Chinese fans and violated the sports spirit of love and peace. We do not understand, accept or forgive this," it added. In a social post last week, the ex-World Cup winning star had said that in "east Turkistan, the bleeding wound of the Ummah, resisting against the persecutors trying to separate them from their religion. They burn their Qurans. They shut down their mosques. They ban their schools. They kill their holy men. The men are forced into camps and their families are forced to live with Chinese men. The women are forced to marry Chinese men." "But Muslims are silent. They won’t make a noise. They have abandoned them. Don’t they know that giving consent for persecution is persecution itself?" the Arsenal star added. US secretary of state Mike Pompeo had waded into the controversy on Monday asserting that China cannot hide its "gross human rights violations perpetrated against Uighurs." Pompeo said China’s Communist Party propaganda outlets can censor Mesut Ozil and Arsenal games all season long, "but the truth will prevail". "The CCP can’t hide its gross human rights violations perpetrated against Uighurs and other religious faiths from the world," the US secretary of state added. However, China's foreign ministry declared that Ozil's "judgment was influenced by untruthful remarks". Chinese foreign ministry spokesman invited Ozil to Xinjiang stating that he was "deceived by fake news".

Chinese company PES deletes Mesut Ozil from gaming service over Uighur remarks

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-denies-world-bank-cuts-related-to-uighur-rights-concerns-261605">World Bank</a> on Thursday adopted a plan to aid China with $1 billion to $1.5 billion in low-interest loans annually through June 2025, despite the objections of US&nbsp;Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin.

Mnuchin told a House Financial Services Committee hearing that the Treasury's representative on the bank's board had objected on to the plan on Wednesday, adding he wanted the World Bank to "graduate" China from its concessional loan programs for low- and middle-income countries.

The new five-year plan calls for lending to "gradually decline" from the previous five-year average of $1.8 billion.

It was published on Thursday afternoon after the World Bank's board "expressed broad support" for the multilateral development lender's engagement in China's structural and environmental reforms.

The World Bank loaned China $1.3 billion in the fiscal 2019 year ended June 30, down from about $2.4 billion during fiscal 2017.

"Lending levels may fluctuate up and down from year to year due to normal pipeline management based on project readiness," the World Bank said in the new plan.

It said Beijing had requested continued financing from the World Bank's International Bank for Reconstruction and Development division "as platforms for reform, institution building and knowledge transfer."

But the decline in lending is not fast enough for Mnuchin, who has argued China is too wealthy for such international aid when it is lending hundreds of billions of dollars of its own to poor countries through its <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/china-will-take-belt-and-road-initiative-all-over-unless-other-countries-provide-alternative-warns-sri-lankas-gotabaya-rajapaksa-265560">Belt and Road infrastructure</a> drive.

US&nbsp;lawmakers are also increasingly expressing concerns that US&nbsp;taxpayer funds loaned through the World Bank to China will enable human rights abuses and unfair economic competition with the United States.

In Senate floor remarks on Thursday, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Charles Grassley cited alleged human rights abuses in Xinjiang associated with detention camps for Muslim Uighurs in criticizing the World Bank lending plan.

"The World Bank, using American tax dollars, should not be lending to wealthy countries that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinese-media-blasts-us-for-uighur-bill-calls-for-action-266285">violate the human rights</a> of their citizens and attempt to dominate weaker countries either militarily or economically," Grassley said.

China defended its partnership with the World Bank.

"We are willing to make an effort and work together (with the bank) to summarize and share China's success and experience in poverty alleviation with other developing countries, to realize a long-term sustainable development for these countries," foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told a news briefing Friday.

Although the United States hold an effective veto power over major board decisions such as capital increases and leadership appointments, the latest China lending plan did not require a formal vote.

Mnuchin told lawmakers he expected the World Bank's lending to China to fall below $1 billion during the current fiscal year, with more repayment funds flowing back to the lender from China than loan funds going out.

The World Bank said the loans in the five-year plan would be aimed at advancing market and fiscal reforms, promoting greener growth and increasing citizens' access to health and social services.

The World Bank on Thursday adopted a plan to aid China with $1 billion to $1.5 billion in low-interest loans annually through June 2025, despite the objections of US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin.

The World Bank on Thursday adopted a plan to aid China with $1 billion to $1.5 billion in low-interest loans annually through June 2025, despite the objections of US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. Mnuchin told a House Financial Services Committee hearing that the Treasury's representative on the bank's board had objected on to the plan on Wednesday, adding he wanted the World Bank to "graduate" China from its concessional loan programs for low- and middle-income countries. The new five-year plan calls for lending to "gradually decline" from the previous five-year average of $1.8 billion. It was published on Thursday afternoon after the World Bank's board "expressed broad support" for the multilateral development lender's engagement in China's structural and environmental reforms. The World Bank loaned China $1.3 billion in the fiscal 2019 year ended June 30, down from about $2.4 billion during fiscal 2017. "Lending levels may fluctuate up and down from year to year due to normal pipeline management based on project readiness," the World Bank said in the new plan. It said Beijing had requested continued financing from the World Bank's International Bank for Reconstruction and Development division "as platforms for reform, institution building and knowledge transfer." But the decline in lending is not fast enough for Mnuchin, who has argued China is too wealthy for such international aid when it is lending hundreds of billions of dollars of its own to poor countries through its Belt and Road infrastructure drive. US lawmakers are also increasingly expressing concerns that US taxpayer funds loaned through the World Bank to China will enable human rights abuses and unfair economic competition with the United States. In Senate floor remarks on Thursday, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Charles Grassley cited alleged human rights abuses in Xinjiang associated with detention camps for Muslim Uighurs in criticizing the World Bank lending plan. "The World Bank, using American tax dollars, should not be lending to wealthy countries that violate the human rights of their citizens and attempt to dominate weaker countries either militarily or economically," Grassley said. China defended its partnership with the World Bank. "We are willing to make an effort and work together (with the bank) to summarize and share China's success and experience in poverty alleviation with other developing countries, to realize a long-term sustainable development for these countries," foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told a news briefing Friday. Although the United States hold an effective veto power over major board decisions such as capital increases and leadership appointments, the latest China lending plan did not require a formal vote. Mnuchin told lawmakers he expected the World Bank's lending to China to fall below $1 billion during the current fiscal year, with more repayment funds flowing back to the lender from China than loan funds going out. The World Bank said the loans in the five-year plan would be aimed at advancing market and fiscal reforms, promoting greener growth and increasing citizens' access to health and social services.

World Bank adopts $1 billion-plus annual China lending plan over US objections

Chinese official media excoriated the United States and called for harsh reprisals in editorials on Thursday after the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-says-a-price-must-be-paid-over-us-uighur-bill-266177">US&nbsp;House of Representatives passed legislation</a> requiring a stronger response to Beijing's treatment of its Uighur Muslim minority.

The commentaries follow warnings from China on Wednesday that the legislation could affect bilateral cooperation, including a near-term deal to end the two countries' trade war.

A front-page editorial in the ruling Communist Party's People's Daily newspaper said the passage of the US&nbsp;legislation "harbours evil intent and is extremely sinister".

"Underestimating the determination and will of the Chinese people is doomed to fail," it said.

By a vote of 407 to 1, the US&nbsp;House of Representatives on Tuesday approved the Uighur bill, which would require the Trump administration to toughen its response to China's crackdown in Xinjiang, a region in China's far west.

The bill still has to be approved by the Republican-controlled Senate before being sent to US&nbsp;President Donald Trump to sign into law.

Watch: US House ramps up China tensions with passing Uighur Bill

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-house-ramps-up-china-tensions-with-passing-uighur-bill-266047/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The White House has yet to say whether Trump would sign or veto the bill, which contains a provision allowing the president to waive sanctions if he determines that to be in the national interest.

UN&nbsp;experts and activists say China has detained possibly one million Uighurs in mass detention camps in Xinjiang.

China says the camps are part of an anti-terror crackdown and are providing <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-house-approves-uighur-bill-demanding-sanctions-on-senior-chinese-officials-266033">vocational training</a>. It denies any mistreatment of Uighurs.

The English-language China Daily called the bill a "stab in the back, given Beijing's efforts to stabilise the already turbulent China-US&nbsp;relationship".

"It seems an odds-on bet that more (sanctions) can be expected if the latest approval for State Department meddling goes into the statute books," it said.

The English-language edition of the Global Times, a nationalist tabloid published by the People's Daily, said China should be prepared for a "long-term battle with the US"

The editorials echoed comments by Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying, who said on Wednesday that "any wrong words and deeds must pay the due price."

The official commentary also took aim at the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act, recently signed into law by Trump.

The act requires the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/more-secrets-of-chinas-xinjiang-camps-leaked-to-foreign-media-264363">US&nbsp;State Department</a> to certify at least annually that Hong Kong retains enough autonomy to justify favourable US&nbsp;trading terms and threatens sanctions for human rights violations

A front-page editorial in the overseas edition of the People's Daily framed the bill as a US&nbsp;attempt to use Hong Kong to contain China, calling such a move "idiotic nonsense".

"The Chinese government will in no way allow anyone to act wilfully in Hong Kong, and must take effective measures to prevent, contain and counteract external forces from interfering in Hong Kong affairs."

Hong Kong has been wracked by nearly six months of often violent protests, with demonstrators demanding greater democratic freedoms in the Chinese city.

Chinese official media excoriated the United States and called for harsh reprisals in editorials on Thursday after the US House of Representatives passed legislation requiring a stronger response to Beijing's treatment of its Uighur Muslim minority.

Chinese official media excoriated the United States and called for harsh reprisals in editorials on Thursday after the US House of Representatives passed legislation requiring a stronger response to Beijing's treatment of its Uighur Muslim minority. The commentaries follow warnings from China on Wednesday that the legislation could affect bilateral cooperation, including a near-term deal to end the two countries' trade war. A front-page editorial in the ruling Communist Party's People's Daily newspaper said the passage of the US legislation "harbours evil intent and is extremely sinister". "Underestimating the determination and will of the Chinese people is doomed to fail," it said. By a vote of 407 to 1, the US House of Representatives on Tuesday approved the Uighur bill, which would require the Trump administration to toughen its response to China's crackdown in Xinjiang, a region in China's far west. The bill still has to be approved by the Republican-controlled Senate before being sent to US President Donald Trump to sign into law. Watch: US House ramps up China tensions with passing Uighur Bill The White House has yet to say whether Trump would sign or veto the bill, which contains a provision allowing the president to waive sanctions if he determines that to be in the national interest. UN experts and activists say China has detained possibly one million Uighurs in mass detention camps in Xinjiang. China says the camps are part of an anti-terror crackdown and are providing vocational training. It denies any mistreatment of Uighurs. The English-language China Daily called the bill a "stab in the back, given Beijing's efforts to stabilise the already turbulent China-US relationship". "It seems an odds-on bet that more (sanctions) can be expected if the latest approval for State Department meddling goes into the statute books," it said. The English-language edition of the Global Times, a nationalist tabloid published by the People's Daily, said China should be prepared for a "long-term battle with the US" The editorials echoed comments by Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying, who said on Wednesday that "any wrong words and deeds must pay the due price." The official commentary also took aim at the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act, recently signed into law by Trump. The act requires the US State Department to certify at least annually that Hong Kong retains enough autonomy to justify favourable US trading terms and threatens sanctions for human rights violations A front-page editorial in the overseas edition of the People's Daily framed the bill as a US attempt to use Hong Kong to contain China, calling such a move "idiotic nonsense". "The Chinese government will in no way allow anyone to act wilfully in Hong Kong, and must take effective measures to prevent, contain and counteract external forces from interfering in Hong Kong affairs." Hong Kong has been wracked by nearly six months of often violent protests, with demonstrators demanding greater democratic freedoms in the Chinese city.

Chinese media blasts US for Uighur bill, calls for action

China said Tuesday that a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/world-bank-ends-funding-to-controversial-uighur-schools-in-china-261467">World Bank decision</a> to&nbsp;scale back a vocational education project was unrelated to allegations of mistreatment of minority Muslim Uighurs in the northwestern Xinjiang region.

The World Bank launched a review in August of the programme after Foreign Policy magazine reported that a school which benefited from a tranche of the $50 million loans to China bought "barbed wire, gas launchers, and body armour".

Rights groups and experts say more than one million mostly Muslim ethnic minorities have been interned in re-education camps in Xinjiang, where they are being tortured and forced to renounce their religion.

The World Bank said on Monday that its review "did not substantiate the allegations" but that it would cut funding to the scheme's "partner schools" as a precautionary measure because the schools were dispersed and difficult to monitor.

But Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said Tuesday that the World Bank's review of the programme "clarifies the truth while strongly rejecting the relevant accusations."

The "adjustments" announced by the World Bank are instead based on "based on the programmes' actual needs," said Geng at a regular press briefing.

Geng said that the inspection showed that the project did not suffer from the problems "hyped up by foreign media."

The World Bank statement said Monday that the "scope and footprint of the project (with the partner schools) is being reduced."

"Specifically, the project component that involves the partner schools in Xinjiang is being closed," it said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/a-day-in-the-life-of-uighurs-251734">In pictures:&nbsp;A day in the life of China’s persecuted Uighur community</a>

China said Tuesday that a World Bank decision to scale back a vocational education project was unrelated to allegations of mistreatment of minority Muslim Uighurs in the northwestern Xinjiang region.

China said Tuesday that a World Bank decision to scale back a vocational education project was unrelated to allegations of mistreatment of minority Muslim Uighurs in the northwestern Xinjiang region. The World Bank launched a review in August of the programme after Foreign Policy magazine reported that a school which benefited from a tranche of the $50 million loans to China bought "barbed wire, gas launchers, and body armour". Rights groups and experts say more than one million mostly Muslim ethnic minorities have been interned in re-education camps in Xinjiang, where they are being tortured and forced to renounce their religion. The World Bank said on Monday that its review "did not substantiate the allegations" but that it would cut funding to the scheme's "partner schools" as a precautionary measure because the schools were dispersed and difficult to monitor. But Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said Tuesday that the World Bank's review of the programme "clarifies the truth while strongly rejecting the relevant accusations." The "adjustments" announced by the World Bank are instead based on "based on the programmes' actual needs," said Geng at a regular press briefing. Geng said that the inspection showed that the project did not suffer from the problems "hyped up by foreign media." The World Bank statement said Monday that the "scope and footprint of the project (with the partner schools) is being reduced." "Specifically, the project component that involves the partner schools in Xinjiang is being closed," it said. In pictures: A day in the life of China’s persecuted Uighur community

China denies World Bank cuts related to Uighur rights concerns

The US Commerce Department announced Monday it is <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-will-aim-to-persuade-others-to-call-out-china-over-uighurs-at-un-mike-pompeo-248164">blacklisting 28 Chinese entities</a> that it says are implicated in rights violations and abuses<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/dont-know-much-about-imran-khan-on-situation-of-uighurs-muslims-in-china-249715"> targeting Uighurs</a> and other mostly Muslim minorities in the Xinjiang region.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/a-day-in-the-life-of-uighurs-251734">In pictures: A day in the life of China’s persecuted Uighur community</a>

Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced the move, which bars the named entities from purchasing US products, saying the United States "cannot and will not tolerate the brutal suppression of ethnic minorities within China." 
 
Watch: Uighurs use Tiktok to expose China's detention camps in Xinjiang

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-gravitas-uighurs-use-tiktok-to-expose-chinas-detention-camps-in-xinjiang-244906/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

According to an update to the US Federal Register set to be published Wednesday, the blacklisted firms included video surveillance company Hikvision, as well as artificial intelligence companies Megvii Technology and SenseTime.

Rights groups say China has detained around one million Uighurs and other Muslims in re-education camps in the western Xinjiang region in a step Washington says is reminiscent of Nazi Germany.

China had until recently denied the camps existed but now claims they are "vocational training schools" necessary to control terrorism while decrying interference in its "internal affairs."

The US move came after Washington banned technology giant Huawei and other Chinese firms from government contracts, amid the trade war between the two countries.

The US Commerce Department announced Monday it is blacklisting 28 Chinese entities that it says are implicated in rights violations and abuses targeting Uighurs and other mostly Muslim minorities in the Xinjiang region.

The US Commerce Department announced Monday it is blacklisting 28 Chinese entities that it says are implicated in rights violations and abuses targeting Uighurs and other mostly Muslim minorities in the Xinjiang region. In pictures: A day in the life of China’s persecuted Uighur community Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced the move, which bars the named entities from purchasing US products, saying the United States "cannot and will not tolerate the brutal suppression of ethnic minorities within China." Watch: Uighurs use Tiktok to expose China's detention camps in Xinjiang According to an update to the US Federal Register set to be published Wednesday, the blacklisted firms included video surveillance company Hikvision, as well as artificial intelligence companies Megvii Technology and SenseTime. Rights groups say China has detained around one million Uighurs and other Muslims in re-education camps in the western Xinjiang region in a step Washington says is reminiscent of Nazi Germany. China had until recently denied the camps existed but now claims they are "vocational training schools" necessary to control terrorism while decrying interference in its "internal affairs." The US move came after Washington banned technology giant Huawei and other Chinese firms from government contracts, amid the trade war between the two countries.

US puts 28 Chinese organisations on economic blacklist over Beijing’s brutal crackdown on Uighur Muslim minority