Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Tuesday that Canada and other countries are mulling labelling China's treatment of Uighurs a genocide.&nbsp;

The comments come after former US president Donald Trump last month called the treatment of Uighurs living in China's Xinjiang genocide and crimes against humanity.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/china-bans-british-broadcaster-bbc-post-report-on-rape-of-uighur-women-363066/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"It's a word that is extremely loaded and is certainly something that we should be looking at in the case of the Uighurs," Trudeau was quoted as saying by news agency AFP in a news conference.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-bans-bbc-world-news-for-its-reporting-on-uighur-genocide-covid-19-363002">China bans BBC World News for its reporting on Uighur genocide, Covid-19</a>

"I know the international community is looking very carefully at that and we are certainly among them, and we will not hesitate from being part of the determinations around these sorts of things."

Trudeau also said there was "no question" of the immense human rights violations reported happening in Xinjiang.&nbsp;

"We are extremely concerned about that and have highlighted our concerns many times. But when it comes to the application of the very specific word 'genocide,' we simply need to ensure that all the I's are dotted and the T's are crossed in the processes before a determination like that is made," the Canadian CM said.&nbsp;

Human rights groups say at least a million Uighurs and Turkic-speaking Muslims are held in detention camps in Xinjiang.&nbsp;

Recently, media reports quoted Uighur women who said they were raped by Chinese authorities in these camps.&nbsp;

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Tuesday that Canada and other countries are mulling labelling China's treatment of Uighurs a genocide. The comments come after former US president Donald Trump last month called the treatment of Uighurs living in China's Xinjiang genocide and crimes against humanity.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Tuesday that Canada and other countries are mulling labelling China's treatment of Uighurs a genocide. The comments come after former US president Donald Trump last month called the treatment of Uighurs living in China's Xinjiang genocide and crimes against humanity. Watch | "It's a word that is extremely loaded and is certainly something that we should be looking at in the case of the Uighurs," Trudeau was quoted as saying by news agency AFP in a news conference. Also read | China bans BBC World News for its reporting on Uighur genocide, Covid-19 "I know the international community is looking very carefully at that and we are certainly among them, and we will not hesitate from being part of the determinations around these sorts of things." Trudeau also said there was "no question" of the immense human rights violations reported happening in Xinjiang. "We are extremely concerned about that and have highlighted our concerns many times. But when it comes to the application of the very specific word 'genocide,' we simply need to ensure that all the I's are dotted and the T's are crossed in the processes before a determination like that is made," the Canadian CM said. Human rights groups say at least a million Uighurs and Turkic-speaking Muslims are held in detention camps in Xinjiang. Recently, media reports quoted Uighur women who said they were raped by Chinese authorities in these camps.

Canada, other nations considering labeling Uighur treatment 'genocide': Trudeau

As US President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/joe-biden">Joe Biden </a>makes his intentions clear to China in a phone call to his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, the message from commander-in-chief is; "get moving," else China will eat their "lunch".&nbsp;

"They're going to, if we don't get moving, they are going to eat our lunch," the US president told reporters, as quoted by news agency Reuters.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-president-announces-formation-of-a-pentagon-task-force-to-review-china-strategy-362774/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

In his first phone call to Jinping on Wednesday, Biden pressed him on Xinjiang, Hong Kong human rights issues and other trade-related matters.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-says-phone-call-with-china-president-xi-jinping-lasted-two-hours-363001">Biden says phone call with China President Xi Jinping lasted two hours</a>

He "underscored his fundamental concerns about Beijing's coercive and unfair economic practices, crackdown in Hong Kong, human rights abuses in Xinjiang, and increasingly assertive actions in the region, including toward Taiwan," the White House said after the talks.

The two leaders also talked about the coronavirus pandemic, weapons proliferation and climate change, according to the WH.&nbsp;

Biden in the call said that his priorities are to protect the security, prosperity, health and the way of life of American people and to preserve "a free and open Indo-Pacific."&nbsp;

The remarks on Indo-Pacific came as several countries have raised objections on China's expansionist approach in the region.&nbsp;

"President Biden committed to pursuing practical, results-oriented engagements when it advances the interests of the American people and those of our allies," the WH added.&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

As US President Joe Biden makes his intentions clear to China in a phone call to his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, the message from commander-in-chief is; "get moving," else China will eat their "lunch".

As US President Joe Biden makes his intentions clear to China in a phone call to his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, the message from commander-in-chief is; "get moving," else China will eat their "lunch". "They're going to, if we don't get moving, they are going to eat our lunch," the US president told reporters, as quoted by news agency Reuters. Watch | In his first phone call to Jinping on Wednesday, Biden pressed him on Xinjiang, Hong Kong human rights issues and other trade-related matters. Also read | Biden says phone call with China President Xi Jinping lasted two hours He "underscored his fundamental concerns about Beijing's coercive and unfair economic practices, crackdown in Hong Kong, human rights abuses in Xinjiang, and increasingly assertive actions in the region, including toward Taiwan," the White House said after the talks. The two leaders also talked about the coronavirus pandemic, weapons proliferation and climate change, according to the WH. Biden in the call said that his priorities are to protect the security, prosperity, health and the way of life of American people and to preserve "a free and open Indo-Pacific." The remarks on Indo-Pacific came as several countries have raised objections on China's expansionist approach in the region. "President Biden committed to pursuing practical, results-oriented engagements when it advances the interests of the American people and those of our allies," the WH added.

If US won't 'get moving,' China will 'eat our lunch': Joe Biden

Turkey has been accused of agreeing to hand over Uighur Muslims to China in exchange for access to its COVID-19 vaccines.

In recent years, China has forcefully cracked down on Uighurs around the world, using their religion to cite a national security threat. Turkey is home to the largest number of diasporic Uighurs in the world.

Opposition legislators in Turkey are accusing Ankara’s leaders of secretly selling out Uighurs to China in exchange for coronavirus vaccines. Tens of millions of vials of promised Chinese vaccines have not yet been delivered. Meanwhile, in recent months, Turkish police have raided and detained around 50 Uighurs in deportation centres, lawyers say — a sharp uptick from last year.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/why-erdogan-has-decided-to-extradite-uighurs-to-china-316326">Also read | Why Erdogan has decided to extradite Uighurs to China</a>

Although no hard evidence has yet emerged for a quid pro quo, these legislators and the Uighurs fear that Beijing is using the vaccines as leverage to win passage of an extradition treaty. The treaty was signed years ago but suddenly ratified by China in December, and could come before Turkish lawmakers as soon as this month.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-brushes-aside-fears-of-uighur-deportations-to-china-353427">Also read | Turkey brushes aside fears of Uighur deportations to China</a>

Uighurs speak a Turkic language and have cultural ties with Turkey that make it a favoured destination for avoiding persecution in China's northwestern region of Xinjiang. But news reports have accused Turkey of covertly returning Uighurs to China via third countries.

Rights activists say Xinjiang is home to a vast network of extrajudicial internment camps that have imprisoned at least one million people.

China says these are vocational training centres to counter extremism.

Ethnic Uighurs rallied for the ninth day running Wednesday to express their fears about the extradition treaty.

"God willing, we hope our state will not approve such a thing," said Omer Farah, a Uighur with Turkish citizenship who said his children are detained in China.

"But if it does, we are really worried. Because for China, all 50,000 Uighurs who live here are criminals."

(With inputs from agencies)

Turkey has been accused of agreeing to hand over Uighur Muslims to China in exchange for access to its COVID-19 vaccines. In recent years, China has forcefully cracked down on Uighurs around the world, using their religion to cite a national security threat.

Turkey has been accused of agreeing to hand over Uighur Muslims to China in exchange for access to its COVID-19 vaccines. In recent years, China has forcefully cracked down on Uighurs around the world, using their religion to cite a national security threat. Turkey is home to the largest number of diasporic Uighurs in the world. Opposition legislators in Turkey are accusing Ankara’s leaders of secretly selling out Uighurs to China in exchange for coronavirus vaccines. Tens of millions of vials of promised Chinese vaccines have not yet been delivered. Meanwhile, in recent months, Turkish police have raided and detained around 50 Uighurs in deportation centres, lawyers say — a sharp uptick from last year. Also read | Why Erdogan has decided to extradite Uighurs to China Although no hard evidence has yet emerged for a quid pro quo, these legislators and the Uighurs fear that Beijing is using the vaccines as leverage to win passage of an extradition treaty. The treaty was signed years ago but suddenly ratified by China in December, and could come before Turkish lawmakers as soon as this month. Also read | Turkey brushes aside fears of Uighur deportations to China Uighurs speak a Turkic language and have cultural ties with Turkey that make it a favoured destination for avoiding persecution in China's northwestern region of Xinjiang. But news reports have accused Turkey of covertly returning Uighurs to China via third countries. Rights activists say Xinjiang is home to a vast network of extrajudicial internment camps that have imprisoned at least one million people. China says these are vocational training centres to counter extremism. Ethnic Uighurs rallied for the ninth day running Wednesday to express their fears about the extradition treaty. "God willing, we hope our state will not approve such a thing," said Omer Farah, a Uighur with Turkish citizenship who said his children are detained in China. "But if it does, we are really worried. Because for China, all 50,000 Uighurs who live here are criminals." (With inputs from agencies)

Exiled Uighurs in Turkey fear sellout to China in exchange for vaccine

If reports are to be believed, women in China's 're-education' camps for Uighurs have been subjected to systematic rape, sexually abuse, and torture. &nbsp;

According to new detailed accounts obtained by the BBC, detainees share horrifying stories from inside China's vast and secretive system of internment camps in the Xinjiang region.&nbsp;

According to independent estimates, more than a million men and women have been detained in these camps. China says these camps have been created for the 're-education' of the Uighurs and other minorities.&nbsp; 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-wants-to-boost-masculinity-of-boys-through-sports-361078">Also read | China wants to boost 'masculinity' of boys through sports</a> 
 
Human rights groups allege the Chinese government has gradually stripped away Uighurs' all kinds of freedoms. It has turned out to become an oppressive system of mass surveillance, indoctrination, detention, and even forced sterilisation. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The policy of the camps came in after China's President Xi Jinping visited Xinjiang in 2014 in the wake of a terror attack by Uighur separatists and directed local officials to respond with 'absolutely no mercy', according to documents leaked to the New York Times.&nbsp;

Last month, the US government said that China's actions since then amounted to a genocide. However, China has rubbished the reports of mass detention and forced sterilisation and said these are 'lies and absurd allegations'.&nbsp;

Although first-hand accounts from inside the internment camps are rare, several former detainees have confirmed the organised system of mass rape, sexual abuse and torture at the camps. &nbsp;

“Women were removed from the cells 'every night' and raped by one or more masked Chinese men,” said Tursunay Ziawudun, who fled Xinjiang after her release and is now in the US. She said on three occasions, she was tortured and later gang-raped each time by two or three men.&nbsp;

Although it seems to be impossible to verify Ziawudun's account as there are severe restrictions on reporters in China, but travel documents and immigration records provided to the BBC by her, corroborate story.&nbsp;

Uighurs are muslim Turkic minority group, who are about 11 million in Xinjiang in north-western China.&nbsp;

If reports are to be believed, women in China's 're-education' camps for Uighurs have been subjected to systematic rape, sexually abuse, and torture. According to new detailed accounts obtained by the BBC, detainees share horrifying stories from inside China's vast and secretive system of internment camps in the Xinjiang region.

If reports are to be believed, women in China's 're-education' camps for Uighurs have been subjected to systematic rape, sexually abuse, and torture. According to new detailed accounts obtained by the BBC, detainees share horrifying stories from inside China's vast and secretive system of internment camps in the Xinjiang region. According to independent estimates, more than a million men and women have been detained in these camps. China says these camps have been created for the 're-education' of the Uighurs and other minorities. Also read | China wants to boost 'masculinity' of boys through sports Human rights groups allege the Chinese government has gradually stripped away Uighurs' all kinds of freedoms. It has turned out to become an oppressive system of mass surveillance, indoctrination, detention, and even forced sterilisation. The policy of the camps came in after China's President Xi Jinping visited Xinjiang in 2014 in the wake of a terror attack by Uighur separatists and directed local officials to respond with 'absolutely no mercy', according to documents leaked to the New York Times. Last month, the US government said that China's actions since then amounted to a genocide. However, China has rubbished the reports of mass detention and forced sterilisation and said these are 'lies and absurd allegations'. Although first-hand accounts from inside the internment camps are rare, several former detainees have confirmed the organised system of mass rape, sexual abuse and torture at the camps. “Women were removed from the cells 'every night' and raped by one or more masked Chinese men,” said Tursunay Ziawudun, who fled Xinjiang after her release and is now in the US. She said on three occasions, she was tortured and later gang-raped each time by two or three men. Although it seems to be impossible to verify Ziawudun's account as there are severe restrictions on reporters in China, but travel documents and immigration records provided to the BBC by her, corroborate story. Uighurs are muslim Turkic minority group, who are about 11 million in Xinjiang in north-western China.

Rape, abuse, torture reported in China's 're-education' camps

There have been several accusations against China regarding the inhumane treatment of the Uighur minority group in the area Xinjiang.&nbsp;

Now the UK, too, has once again urged China to allow the UN rights inspectors to visit Xinjiang and investigate the "appalling" allegations being raised against the human rights abuse the minority group is being subjected to in the area.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-accused-of-trading-uighurs-for-chinese-covid-19-vaccine-357132">Turkey accused of trading Uighurs for Chinese covid-19 vaccine</a>

This has come a week after the Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab introduced import controls on firms that get their resources — raw or finished products — from the northwest Chinese region.&nbsp;

Raab took the decision to make sure the UK does not enable the forced labour the Uighur community is being subjected to in Xinjiang — a claim that China has repeatedly denied.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/why-erdogan-has-decided-to-extradite-uighurs-to-china-316326">Also read| Why Erdogan has decided to extradite Uighurs to China</a>

"Whether or not it amounts to genocide has to be determined by a court. The bar has been set incredibly high," Raab said. "And frankly we shouldn't be engaged in free-trade negotiations with countries abusing human rights well below the limit of genocide."

While Raab himself has introduced the import controls, he has been vocal for the view that the UK government or the courts should not be given the sole power to decide whether or not a genocide is taking place against the mainly Muslim community in Xinjiang.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-brushes-aside-fears-of-uighur-deportations-to-china-353427">Also read| Turkey brushes aside fears of Uighur deportations to China</a>

"What China says is this is all lies cooked up by the West, and Britain a leading member amongst them," he said.

However, he proposed letting the UNHRC inspectors visit and carry out investigations in the area to put all accusations to rest. "What we say is if you dispute the allegations and the claims and the reports, there's a simple way to clear this up: allow the UN Human Rights Commissioner to visit and access and see these sites," Raab said.

China, on the other hand, has warned Raab to stop meddling in its internal affairs. The UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, meanwhile, believes, "speaking frankly and calling out human rights abuses should not stop us from having a productive relationship, where that is possible."

There have been several accusations against China regarding the inhumane treatment of the Uighur minority group in the area Xinjiang. Now the UK, too, has once again urged China to allow the UN rights inspectors to visit Xinjiang and investigate the "appalling" allegations being raised against the human rights abuse the minority group is being subjected to in the area.

There have been several accusations against China regarding the inhumane treatment of the Uighur minority group in the area Xinjiang. Now the UK, too, has once again urged China to allow the UN rights inspectors to visit Xinjiang and investigate the "appalling" allegations being raised against the human rights abuse the minority group is being subjected to in the area. Also read| Turkey accused of trading Uighurs for Chinese covid-19 vaccine This has come a week after the Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab introduced import controls on firms that get their resources — raw or finished products — from the northwest Chinese region. Raab took the decision to make sure the UK does not enable the forced labour the Uighur community is being subjected to in Xinjiang — a claim that China has repeatedly denied. Also read| Why Erdogan has decided to extradite Uighurs to China "Whether or not it amounts to genocide has to be determined by a court. The bar has been set incredibly high," Raab said. "And frankly we shouldn't be engaged in free-trade negotiations with countries abusing human rights well below the limit of genocide." While Raab himself has introduced the import controls, he has been vocal for the view that the UK government or the courts should not be given the sole power to decide whether or not a genocide is taking place against the mainly Muslim community in Xinjiang. Also read| Turkey brushes aside fears of Uighur deportations to China "What China says is this is all lies cooked up by the West, and Britain a leading member amongst them," he said. However, he proposed letting the UNHRC inspectors visit and carry out investigations in the area to put all accusations to rest. "What we say is if you dispute the allegations and the claims and the reports, there's a simple way to clear this up: allow the UN Human Rights Commissioner to visit and access and see these sites," Raab said. China, on the other hand, has warned Raab to stop meddling in its internal affairs. The UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, meanwhile, believes, "speaking frankly and calling out human rights abuses should not stop us from having a productive relationship, where that is possible."

UK's Dominic Raab urges China to let UN investigate Xinjiang camps

Turkey has begun countrywide COVID-19 vaccinations on Thursday shortly after China-produced vaccine Sinovac was granted emergency authorisation.

Health Minister Fahrettin Koca received a shot on live television, followed by members of Turkey's advisory science council.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan received the first dose of Sinovac's COVID-19 vaccine CoronaVac on Thursday. More than 250,000 Turkish people have been vaccinated in Turkey so far.&nbsp; 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/why-erdogan-has-decided-to-extradite-uighurs-to-china-316326">Also read | Why Erdogan has decided to extradite Uighurs to China</a>

But Turkey has been accused of agreeing to hand over Uighur Muslims to China in exchange for access to its COVID-19 vaccines.

The allegations stem from the timing of two events in December: the long-delayed arrival of Turkey's order of vaccines from the Chinese firm Sinovac and Beijing's abrupt move to ratify a 2017 extradition deal with Ankara. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-brushes-aside-fears-of-uighur-deportations-to-china-353427">Also read | Turkey brushes aside fears of Uighur deportations to China</a>

In December 2020, Turkey&nbsp;had brushed aside fears that a new extradition treaty with China would result in Ankara deporting Muslim Uighurs en masse.

Earlier, China announced the ratification of an extradition treaty with Turkey that human rights groups warn could endanger Uighur families and activists fleeing persecution by Chinese authorities if it is adopted by Ankara.

In recent years, China has forcefully cracked down on Uighurs around the world, using their religion to cite a national security threat.

Uighurs around the world have said to media that they were too afraid to contact their relatives in Xinjiang for fear of Chinese retribution against their family.&nbsp;

Turkey is home to some 50,000 Uighurs, the largest Uighur diaspora group in the world.

Turkey signed a contract for 50 million doses of Sinovac Biotech's vaccine, which should arrive by the end of February. It has so far received 3 million doses as its first batch, but only after three delays totalling around three weeks.

China is facing international criticism over reports it has imprisoned around 1 million Uighurs and other Muslim minorities in vast labour camps in the autonomous region of Xinjiang in the west of the country that it claims are "re-education" facilities. China denies accusations of imprisonment and claims it is fighting domestic terrorism and separatism.

(With inputs from agencies)

Turkey has begun countrywide COVID-19 vaccinations on Thursday shortly after China-produced vaccine Sinovac was granted emergency authorisation. Health Minister Fahrettin Koca received a shot on live television, followed by members of Turkey's advisory science council.

Turkey has begun countrywide COVID-19 vaccinations on Thursday shortly after China-produced vaccine Sinovac was granted emergency authorisation. Health Minister Fahrettin Koca received a shot on live television, followed by members of Turkey's advisory science council. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan received the first dose of Sinovac's COVID-19 vaccine CoronaVac on Thursday. More than 250,000 Turkish people have been vaccinated in Turkey so far. Also read | Why Erdogan has decided to extradite Uighurs to China But Turkey has been accused of agreeing to hand over Uighur Muslims to China in exchange for access to its COVID-19 vaccines. The allegations stem from the timing of two events in December: the long-delayed arrival of Turkey's order of vaccines from the Chinese firm Sinovac and Beijing's abrupt move to ratify a 2017 extradition deal with Ankara. Also read | Turkey brushes aside fears of Uighur deportations to China In December 2020, Turkey had brushed aside fears that a new extradition treaty with China would result in Ankara deporting Muslim Uighurs en masse. Earlier, China announced the ratification of an extradition treaty with Turkey that human rights groups warn could endanger Uighur families and activists fleeing persecution by Chinese authorities if it is adopted by Ankara. In recent years, China has forcefully cracked down on Uighurs around the world, using their religion to cite a national security threat. Uighurs around the world have said to media that they were too afraid to contact their relatives in Xinjiang for fear of Chinese retribution against their family. Turkey is home to some 50,000 Uighurs, the largest Uighur diaspora group in the world. Turkey signed a contract for 50 million doses of Sinovac Biotech's vaccine, which should arrive by the end of February. It has so far received 3 million doses as its first batch, but only after three delays totalling around three weeks. China is facing international criticism over reports it has imprisoned around 1 million Uighurs and other Muslim minorities in vast labour camps in the autonomous region of Xinjiang in the west of the country that it claims are "re-education" facilities. China denies accusations of imprisonment and claims it is fighting domestic terrorism and separatism. (With inputs from agencies)

Turkey accused of trading Uighurs for Chinese covid-19 vaccine

Chinese technology giant Huawei &nbsp;is retroceding on a patent application it filed for a facial recognition system intended to identify Uyghurs from other Chinese ethnicities.

Huawei patent from 2018 describes the technology used to identify race features in pedestrians photographed or filmed in the street that may indicate they are of Uighur origin.

Huawei, however, said it will delete the reference to "Uighur" in the patent upon permission from China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA), the BBC reported, quoting a spokesperson.

"Huawei opposes discrimination of all types, including the use of technology to carry out ethnic discrimination," Huawei said.

As per a report by The Washington Post, Huawei has worked with at least four partner companies to develop surveillance technologies that claim to monitor people by ethnicity.

According to the report, it's artificial intelligence surveillance technology, which includes a face-scanning camera system that can send a "Uighur alarm" to police after detecting a member of the group, has sparked an international outcry against one of China's most valuable tech companies.

Classified documents known as the China Cables, accessed last year by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, threw light on how the Chinese government uses technology to control Uighur Muslims worldwide.

United Nations officials have said China is transforming the Xinjiang region, where many Uighurs live, into a “massive internment camp”.

However, China regularly denies such mistreatment and says the camps provide vocational training, while people in the internment camps have described being subjected to forced political indoctrination, torture, beatings, and denial of food and medicine, and say they have been prohibited from practising their religion or speaking their language.

(With inputs from agencies)

Chinese technology giant Huawei is retroceding on a patent application it filed for a facial recognition system intended to identify Uyghurs from other Chinese ethnicities.

Chinese technology giant Huawei is retroceding on a patent application it filed for a facial recognition system intended to identify Uyghurs from other Chinese ethnicities. Huawei patent from 2018 describes the technology used to identify race features in pedestrians photographed or filmed in the street that may indicate they are of Uighur origin. Huawei, however, said it will delete the reference to "Uighur" in the patent upon permission from China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA), the BBC reported, quoting a spokesperson. "Huawei opposes discrimination of all types, including the use of technology to carry out ethnic discrimination," Huawei said. As per a report by The Washington Post, Huawei has worked with at least four partner companies to develop surveillance technologies that claim to monitor people by ethnicity. According to the report, it's artificial intelligence surveillance technology, which includes a face-scanning camera system that can send a "Uighur alarm" to police after detecting a member of the group, has sparked an international outcry against one of China's most valuable tech companies. Classified documents known as the China Cables, accessed last year by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, threw light on how the Chinese government uses technology to control Uighur Muslims worldwide. United Nations officials have said China is transforming the Xinjiang region, where many Uighurs live, into a “massive internment camp”. However, China regularly denies such mistreatment and says the camps provide vocational training, while people in the internment camps have described being subjected to forced political indoctrination, torture, beatings, and denial of food and medicine, and say they have been prohibited from practising their religion or speaking their language. (With inputs from agencies)

China’s Huawei backtracks after filing for patent of AI software that could recognise Uighurs

Describing the US decision to ban all cotton and tomato imports from the Xinjiang region as a "rude interference", China on Thursday said this will "harm" the security of global supply chains and "impede" economic recovery against novel coronavirus.&nbsp;

The U.S Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on Wednesday said that all imports of tomato and cotton products from Xinjiang will be banned due to the use of forced labour.&nbsp;

Watch&nbsp;|

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-trump-administration-announces-import-ban-on-all-cotton-tomato-products-from-xinjiang-356670/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

&nbsp;China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) said that it opposed the move by the US, calling it Beijing's internal matter.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-bans-imports-of-all-cotton-tomato-products-from-chinas-xinjiang-region-over-forced-labour-concerns-356679">US bans imports of all cotton, tomato products from China's Xinjiang region over forced labour concerns</a>

"China opposes the rude interference of certain countries in China's internal affairs," MOFCOM spokesperson was quoted as saying in a tweet by Global Times.&nbsp;

"Cotton, tomato produce from Xinjiang is important for the global industrial chain, and restrictive measures would harm security of global industrial and supply chains and impede global economic recovery, and China urges relevant countries to stop wrongdoings" MOFCOM in another tweet added.&nbsp;

Xinjiang is in China's far-west and the region is largely dominated by ethnic Uighur Muslims and Beijing's suppression to this minority group is well-reported by several human rights groups.&nbsp;

The US "will not tolerate forced labor (labour) of any kind in US supply chains," said Ken Cuccinelli, acting deputy secretary of the Homeland Security Department, which oversees the CBP.

 
&nbsp;

Describing the US decision to ban all cotton and tomato imports from the Xinjiang region as a "rude interference", China on Thursday said this will "harm" the security of global supply chains and "impede" economic recovery against novel coronavirus.

Describing the US decision to ban all cotton and tomato imports from the Xinjiang region as a "rude interference", China on Thursday said this will "harm" the security of global supply chains and "impede" economic recovery against novel coronavirus. The U.S Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on Wednesday said that all imports of tomato and cotton products from Xinjiang will be banned due to the use of forced labour. Watch | China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) said that it opposed the move by the US, calling it Beijing's internal matter. Also read | US bans imports of all cotton, tomato products from China's Xinjiang region over forced labour concerns "China opposes the rude interference of certain countries in China's internal affairs," MOFCOM spokesperson was quoted as saying in a tweet by Global Times. "Cotton, tomato produce from Xinjiang is important for the global industrial chain, and restrictive measures would harm security of global industrial and supply chains and impede global economic recovery, and China urges relevant countries to stop wrongdoings" MOFCOM in another tweet added. Xinjiang is in China's far-west and the region is largely dominated by ethnic Uighur Muslims and Beijing's suppression to this minority group is well-reported by several human rights groups. The US "will not tolerate forced labor (labour) of any kind in US supply chains," said Ken Cuccinelli, acting deputy secretary of the Homeland Security Department, which oversees the CBP.

'Rude interference': China on US banning tomato, cotton imports

China had an "appalling year" in terms of human rights in 2020, said Human Rights Watch on Wednesday. 
 
The group took into account the crackdown on free speech in Hong Kong with new security laws, the persecution of Uighur Muslims, and attempts at silencing people that were vigorously reporting on the pandemic.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/uk-condemn-chinese-abuse-against-uighur-minority-356359/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Just last week, a court in China sentenced a citizen-journalist to four years in jail after he reported from Wuhan, the original epicentre of the virus where it initially began. Many others who attempted to report on the pandemic have since then disappeared.

"To crack down on whistleblowers and citizen-journalists at this particular moment ... helps highlight to the rest of the world what the consequences of violations inside China can be," Sophie Richardson, Human Rights Watch (HRW) for China claimed after releasing its yearly report.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/china-denies-forceful-use-of-birth-control-measures-on-uighur-women-355991" hreflang="en">China denies forceful use of birth control measures on Uighur women</a> 
 
Earlier, HRW's Executive Director Kenneth Roth had told Reuters that China is the biggest threat to human rights around the world. Roth added that President Xi Jinping had "embarked on the most intense repression" in China since 1989 when the Tiananmen Square crackdown took place.

As part of the national security law which was introduced in Hong Kong, 53 pro-democracy activists have been arrested in raids over the last week.&nbsp;

In addition, Beijing stands accused of the persecution and forced labour of Uighurs in the western region of Xinjiang.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/twitter-removes-chinese-embassys-post-claiming-uighur-women-not-forcefully-sterilised-355755" hreflang="en">Twitter removes Chinese embassy's post claiming Uighur women not forcefully sterilised</a>

Richardson noted how Uighurs' plight remains largely ignored on the global stage, and how it was similar to what Rohingya Muslims were undergoing in Myanmar. 
 
She added how the European Union's investment pact with China remains problematic, after a year of China "publicly shredding" its commitments in terms of human rights. 
 
"Putting a dent in the Chinese government's sense of impunity for serious human rights violations is a real priority, we think, for governments and for institutions like the UN," she said, while adding that criticism against China is now growing in the international community.

China had an "appalling year" in terms of human rights in 2020, said Human Rights Watch on Wednesday. The group took into account the crackdown on free speech in Hong Kong with new security laws, the persecution of Uighur Muslims, and attempts at silencing people that were vigorously reporting on the pandemic.

China had an "appalling year" in terms of human rights in 2020, said Human Rights Watch on Wednesday. The group took into account the crackdown on free speech in Hong Kong with new security laws, the persecution of Uighur Muslims, and attempts at silencing people that were vigorously reporting on the pandemic. Just last week, a court in China sentenced a citizen-journalist to four years in jail after he reported from Wuhan, the original epicentre of the virus where it initially began. Many others who attempted to report on the pandemic have since then disappeared. "To crack down on whistleblowers and citizen-journalists at this particular moment ... helps highlight to the rest of the world what the consequences of violations inside China can be," Sophie Richardson, Human Rights Watch (HRW) for China claimed after releasing its yearly report. Also read: China denies forceful use of birth control measures on Uighur women Earlier, HRW's Executive Director Kenneth Roth had told Reuters that China is the biggest threat to human rights around the world. Roth added that President Xi Jinping had "embarked on the most intense repression" in China since 1989 when the Tiananmen Square crackdown took place. As part of the national security law which was introduced in Hong Kong, 53 pro-democracy activists have been arrested in raids over the last week. In addition, Beijing stands accused of the persecution and forced labour of Uighurs in the western region of Xinjiang. Also read: Twitter removes Chinese embassy's post claiming Uighur women not forcefully sterilised Richardson noted how Uighurs' plight remains largely ignored on the global stage, and how it was similar to what Rohingya Muslims were undergoing in Myanmar. She added how the European Union's investment pact with China remains problematic, after a year of China "publicly shredding" its commitments in terms of human rights. "Putting a dent in the Chinese government's sense of impunity for serious human rights violations is a real priority, we think, for governments and for institutions like the UN," she said, while adding that criticism against China is now growing in the international community.

For China, 2020 was an 'appalling year' of violations: Human Rights Watch

Days after China was accused of forcing birth control measures on the Uighur women in the&nbsp;Xinjiang region, China has once again denied these allegations and has instead claimed the government has instead helped the minority women out of a patriarchal practice.

The story in question is a claim made by a German anthropologist,&nbsp;Adrian Zenz, who claimed that the massive change in the population of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region is due to forced sterilisation among the minority Muslim women.

China, however, has denied these allegations and has said Beijing has freed the Uighur women from becoming "baby-making machines" and the birth control measures being taken by these women are completely voluntary and out of free will.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/twitter-removes-chinese-embassys-post-claiming-uighur-women-not-forcefully-sterilised-355755">Twitter removes Chinese embassy's post claiming Uighur women not forcefully sterilised</a>

"The growth rate of the Uighur population is not only higher than that of the whole Xinjiang population, but also higher than that of the minority population, and more significantly higher than that of the (Chinese majority) Han population," said&nbsp;Xu Guixiang, a deputy spokesperson for the Xinjiang regional government. "As for the so-called forcing ethnic minority women in Xinjiang to wear IUDs, or undergo tubal ligations or abortions, it is even more malign."

He also added that since the decisions are being taken by women of their own free will, "no organisation or individual can interfere".

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>

The matter came to light after an investigation by journalists from the West revealed that minority Muslim women were being forced to use birth control measures such as&nbsp;IUD fittings, contraceptives, and even abortions and sterilization. It was also claimed that people with more than two children were being put into detention centres, prisons and concentration camps if they were unable to pay the heavy fines being forced on them.

Due to this, the birth rate has plummeted by over 60 per cent in Xinjiang's minority regions within three years.

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>

This clarification has come after&nbsp;China's US embassy's tweet&nbsp;claiming that Uighur women are no longer "baby-making machines" was deleted by the social media giant as it "violated the Twitter rules".

In the tweet, the embassy had posted a story quoting a study titled 'An Analysis Report on Population Change in Xinjiang' by Li Xiaoxia, a researcher for the Xinjiang Development Research Center that claimed 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".

China has, once again, claimed that Beijing has done nothing but give more employment opportunities and a better lifestyle to the minority communities of the area.

Days after China was accused of forcing birth control measures on the Uighur women in the Xinjiang region, China has once again denied these allegations and has instead claimed the government has instead helped the minority women out of a patriarchal practice.

Days after China was accused of forcing birth control measures on the Uighur women in the Xinjiang region, China has once again denied these allegations and has instead claimed the government has instead helped the minority women out of a patriarchal practice. The story in question is a claim made by a German anthropologist, Adrian Zenz, who claimed that the massive change in the population of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region is due to forced sterilisation among the minority Muslim women. China, however, has denied these allegations and has said Beijing has freed the Uighur women from becoming "baby-making machines" and the birth control measures being taken by these women are completely voluntary and out of free will. Also read| Twitter removes Chinese embassy's post claiming Uighur women not forcefully sterilised "The growth rate of the Uighur population is not only higher than that of the whole Xinjiang population, but also higher than that of the minority population, and more significantly higher than that of the (Chinese majority) Han population," said Xu Guixiang, a deputy spokesperson for the Xinjiang regional government. "As for the so-called forcing ethnic minority women in Xinjiang to wear IUDs, or undergo tubal ligations or abortions, it is even more malign." He also added that since the decisions are being taken by women of their own free will, "no organisation or individual can interfere". Also read| Ugyhur activist's sister sentenced to 20 years of jail in China, US calls for her release The matter came to light after an investigation by journalists from the West revealed that minority Muslim women were being forced to use birth control measures such as IUD fittings, contraceptives, and even abortions and sterilization. It was also claimed that people with more than two children were being put into detention centres, prisons and concentration camps if they were unable to pay the heavy fines being forced on them. Due to this, the birth rate has plummeted by over 60 per cent in Xinjiang's minority regions within three years. Also read| China confirms Uighur doctor imprisoned on terrorism charges This clarification has come after China's US embassy's tweet claiming that Uighur women are no longer "baby-making machines" was deleted by the social media giant as it "violated the Twitter rules". In the tweet, the embassy had posted a story quoting a study titled 'An Analysis Report on Population Change in Xinjiang' by Li Xiaoxia, a researcher for the Xinjiang Development Research Center that claimed 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". China has, once again, claimed that Beijing has done nothing but give more employment opportunities and a better lifestyle to the minority communities of the area.

China denies forceful use of birth control measures on Uighur women

The United States has called for the release of an Uyghur Muslim doctor who has been sentenced to 20 years of jail in China because of activism of her family members.

The daughter of Gulshan Abbas told a briefing organised with the bipartisan US Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC) that their family had recently learned that her mother received the sentence in March last year on terrorism-related charges after disappearing in September 2018, Al Jazeera reported.

Gulshan Abbas is the sister of activist Rushan Abbas, who has been quite vocal about the Chinese Communist Party`s atrocities against Muslim minorities in China. Meanwhile, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman said Abbas was sentenced for the crimes of joining a "terrorist" organisation, helping terrorist activities and "assembling a crowd to disrupt social order".

"We urge certain politicians in the United States to respect facts and stop fabricating lies and smearing China," the spokesman, Wang Wenbin, told a news conference.

The daughter, Ziba Murat, called the charges "preposterous". Gulshan`s sister, Rushan Abbas, said the charges are the consequence of activism by her and her brother, Rishat Abbas, both of whom are based in the US."We have committed to working to defend our people`s rights and advocate for justice, and now our sister is denied justice as a punishment," Rushan said.

Taking to Twitter, US assistant secretary of state for democracy, human rights and labour, Robert Destro, said Gulshan Abbas must be released."Her forcible disappearance, detainment and harsh sentencing by the CCP [Chinese Communist Party] is evidence of a family suffering the consequences of speaking out against a government that has no respect for human rights," he said.

Ziba Murat said she could not reveal the source of the information on the sentencing to protect their identity. "We only learned that she is sentenced to 20 years, and we`re trying to get more information."

"My mom is a medical professional, non-political, kind person who has spent her life helping people," she said, adding that her mother was in fragile health and suffered from multiple conditions, including high blood pressure.

The CECC chairman, Democratic Representative James McGovern, called the punishment of an innocent family member in what he said was an attempt to silence free expression "morally reprehensible".He said it was just part of a "mass persecution" of Uighurs in China that has involved the detention of as many as 1.8 million people in internment camps, forced labour and other abuses.

According to credible reports, more than one million people, are or have been, detained in what is being called `political re-education` centres, in the largest mass incarceration of an ethnic minority population in the world today.

The internment camp system in the XUAR is expanding, with more than 380 suspected detention facilities having been newly built or expanded since 2017, and at least 61 detention sites newly constructed or expanded between July 2019 and July 2020. (ANI)

The United States has called for the release of an Uyghur Muslim doctor who has been sentenced to 20 years of jail in China because of activism of her family members.

The United States has called for the release of an Uyghur Muslim doctor who has been sentenced to 20 years of jail in China because of activism of her family members. The daughter of Gulshan Abbas told a briefing organised with the bipartisan US Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC) that their family had recently learned that her mother received the sentence in March last year on terrorism-related charges after disappearing in September 2018, Al Jazeera reported. Gulshan Abbas is the sister of activist Rushan Abbas, who has been quite vocal about the Chinese Communist Party`s atrocities against Muslim minorities in China. Meanwhile, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman said Abbas was sentenced for the crimes of joining a "terrorist" organisation, helping terrorist activities and "assembling a crowd to disrupt social order". "We urge certain politicians in the United States to respect facts and stop fabricating lies and smearing China," the spokesman, Wang Wenbin, told a news conference. The daughter, Ziba Murat, called the charges "preposterous". Gulshan`s sister, Rushan Abbas, said the charges are the consequence of activism by her and her brother, Rishat Abbas, both of whom are based in the US."We have committed to working to defend our people`s rights and advocate for justice, and now our sister is denied justice as a punishment," Rushan said. Taking to Twitter, US assistant secretary of state for democracy, human rights and labour, Robert Destro, said Gulshan Abbas must be released."Her forcible disappearance, detainment and harsh sentencing by the CCP [Chinese Communist Party] is evidence of a family suffering the consequences of speaking out against a government that has no respect for human rights," he said. Ziba Murat said she could not reveal the source of the information on the sentencing to protect their identity. "We only learned that she is sentenced to 20 years, and we`re trying to get more information." "My mom is a medical professional, non-political, kind person who has spent her life helping people," she said, adding that her mother was in fragile health and suffered from multiple conditions, including high blood pressure. The CECC chairman, Democratic Representative James McGovern, called the punishment of an innocent family member in what he said was an attempt to silence free expression "morally reprehensible".He said it was just part of a "mass persecution" of Uighurs in China that has involved the detention of as many as 1.8 million people in internment camps, forced labour and other abuses. According to credible reports, more than one million people, are or have been, detained in what is being called `political re-education` centres, in the largest mass incarceration of an ethnic minority population in the world today. The internment camp system in the XUAR is expanding, with more than 380 suspected detention facilities having been newly built or expanded since 2017, and at least 61 detention sites newly constructed or expanded between July 2019 and July 2020. (ANI)

Ugyhur activist's sister sentenced to 20 years of jail in China, US calls for her release

The United States called on Wednesday for the release of a Uighur Muslim medical doctor who relatives say was sentenced to 20 years jail in China because of family members human rights activism in the United States.

The daughter of Gulshan Abbas told a briefing organized with the bipartisan U.S. Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC) that the family had recently learned her mother received the sentence in March last year on terrorism-related charges after disappearing in September 2018.

The daughter, Ziba Murat, called the charges "preposterous." Gulshans sister, Rushan Abbas, said they stemmed from activism by her and her brother Rishat Abbas, both of whom are based in the United States.

"We have committed to working to defend our peoples rights and advocate for justice, and now our sister is denied justice as a punishment," Rushan said.

In a tweet, the U.S. assistant secretary of state for democracy, human rights and labor, Robert Destro, said Gulshan Abbas must be released.

"Her forcible disappearance, detainment and harsh sentencing by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) is evidence of a family suffering the consequences of speaking out against a government that has no respect for human rights," he said.

Ziba Murat said she could not reveal the source of the information on the sentencing to protect their identity. "We only learned that she is sentenced to 20 years, and were trying to get more information."

"My mom is a medical professional, non-political, kind person who has spent her life helping people," she said, adding that her mother was in fragile health and suffered from multiple conditions, including high blood pressure.

The Chinese Embassy in Washington did not respond when asked for details of Gulshan Abbas status.

The CECC chairman, Democratic Representative James McGovern, called the punishment of an innocent family member in what he said was an attempt to silence free expression "morally reprehensible."

He said it was just part of a "mass persecution" of Uighurs in China that has involved detention of as many as 1.8. million in internment camps, forced labor and other abuses.

U.N. experts and advocates say at least a million ethnic Uighurs have been detained at some point in camps in Chinas Xinjiang region. 
China calls the heavily guarded centers educational and vocational institutes, and says all those who attended have "graduated" and gone home. Access to the camps is restricted and it is not possible to independently verify whether all have closed.

The United States called on Wednesday for the release of a Uighur Muslim medical doctor who relatives say was sentenced to 20 years jail in China because of family members human rights activism in the United States.

The United States called on Wednesday for the release of a Uighur Muslim medical doctor who relatives say was sentenced to 20 years jail in China because of family members human rights activism in the United States. The daughter of Gulshan Abbas told a briefing organized with the bipartisan U.S. Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC) that the family had recently learned her mother received the sentence in March last year on terrorism-related charges after disappearing in September 2018. The daughter, Ziba Murat, called the charges "preposterous." Gulshans sister, Rushan Abbas, said they stemmed from activism by her and her brother Rishat Abbas, both of whom are based in the United States. "We have committed to working to defend our peoples rights and advocate for justice, and now our sister is denied justice as a punishment," Rushan said. In a tweet, the U.S. assistant secretary of state for democracy, human rights and labor, Robert Destro, said Gulshan Abbas must be released. "Her forcible disappearance, detainment and harsh sentencing by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) is evidence of a family suffering the consequences of speaking out against a government that has no respect for human rights," he said. Ziba Murat said she could not reveal the source of the information on the sentencing to protect their identity. "We only learned that she is sentenced to 20 years, and were trying to get more information." "My mom is a medical professional, non-political, kind person who has spent her life helping people," she said, adding that her mother was in fragile health and suffered from multiple conditions, including high blood pressure. The Chinese Embassy in Washington did not respond when asked for details of Gulshan Abbas status. The CECC chairman, Democratic Representative James McGovern, called the punishment of an innocent family member in what he said was an attempt to silence free expression "morally reprehensible." He said it was just part of a "mass persecution" of Uighurs in China that has involved detention of as many as 1.8. million in internment camps, forced labor and other abuses. U.N. experts and advocates say at least a million ethnic Uighurs have been detained at some point in camps in Chinas Xinjiang region. China calls the heavily guarded centers educational and vocational institutes, and says all those who attended have "graduated" and gone home. Access to the camps is restricted and it is not possible to independently verify whether all have closed.

US demands release of Uighur doctor who family say is sentenced to 20 years

Turkey on Wednesday brushed aside fears that a new extradition treaty with China would result in Ankara deporting Muslim Uighurs en masse.

Earlier, China&nbsp;announced the ratification of an extradition treaty with Turkey&nbsp;that human rights groups warn could endanger Uighur families and activists fleeing persecution by Chinese authorities if it is adopted by Ankara.

The treaty, first signed in 2017, was formalised on the weekend at the national people’s congress, with state media saying it would be utilised for counter-psychological warfare purposes.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-ratifies-extradition-treaty-pressure-on-turkey-to-protect-uighurs-353170" hreflang="en">China ratifies extradition treaty; pressure on Turkey to protect Uighurs</a>

Confronting solid resistance inside its parliament, Turkey's administration has not yet confirmed the arrangement, and critics have asked the public authority to desert it and keep the settlement from "turning into an instrument of oppression".&nbsp;

Turkey has linguistic and cultural ties with the Uighurs and Ankara has for quite some time been one of the primary safeguards of their motivation on the worldwide stage, however lately Turkey's public demonstration of help has faded.&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-china-and-the-european-union-poised-to-sign-major-investment-deal-353241/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

About 20 Uighurs with Turkish citizenship picketed China's consulate in Istanbul after the Chinese parliament ratified the 2017 treaty on Saturday.

Ankara has not yet ratified the agreement, but its approval in Beijing has put Turkey's estimated 50,000-strong Uighur community on edge.

Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu did not say when Turkey's parliament might debate the agreement. However,&nbsp;its approval would not mean "Turkey will release Uighurs to China".

"Until now, there have been requests for returns from China related to Uighurs in Turkey. And you know Turkey hasn't taken steps like this," Cavusoglu told reporters in Ankara.

It would be "wrong and unfair to say it's a deal for the extradition of Uighurs. We are more sensitive to such issues than others," he said.

Uighurs speak a Turkic language and have cultural ties with Turkey that make it a favoured destination for avoiding persecution in China's northwestern region of Xinjiang. But news reports have accused Turkey of covertly returning Uighurs to China via third countries.

Rights activists say Xinjiang is home to a vast network of extrajudicial internment camps that have imprisoned at least one million people.

China says these are vocational training centres to counter extremism.

Ethnic Uighurs rallied for the ninth day running Wednesday to express their fears about the extradition treaty.

"God willing, we hope our state will not approve such a thing," said Omer Farah, a Uighur with Turkish citizenship who said his children are detained in China.

"But if it does, we are really worried. Because for China, all 50,000 Uighurs who live here are criminals."

Turkey on Wednesday brushed aside fears that a new extradition treaty with China would result in Ankara deporting Muslim Uighurs en masse. Earlier, China announced the ratification of an extradition treaty with Turkey that human rights groups warn could endanger Uighur families and activists fleeing persecution by Chinese authorities if it is adopted by Ankara.

Turkey on Wednesday brushed aside fears that a new extradition treaty with China would result in Ankara deporting Muslim Uighurs en masse. Earlier, China announced the ratification of an extradition treaty with Turkey that human rights groups warn could endanger Uighur families and activists fleeing persecution by Chinese authorities if it is adopted by Ankara. The treaty, first signed in 2017, was formalised on the weekend at the national people’s congress, with state media saying it would be utilised for counter-psychological warfare purposes. Also read: China ratifies extradition treaty; pressure on Turkey to protect Uighurs Confronting solid resistance inside its parliament, Turkey's administration has not yet confirmed the arrangement, and critics have asked the public authority to desert it and keep the settlement from "turning into an instrument of oppression". Turkey has linguistic and cultural ties with the Uighurs and Ankara has for quite some time been one of the primary safeguards of their motivation on the worldwide stage, however lately Turkey's public demonstration of help has faded. About 20 Uighurs with Turkish citizenship picketed China's consulate in Istanbul after the Chinese parliament ratified the 2017 treaty on Saturday. Ankara has not yet ratified the agreement, but its approval in Beijing has put Turkey's estimated 50,000-strong Uighur community on edge. Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu did not say when Turkey's parliament might debate the agreement. However, its approval would not mean "Turkey will release Uighurs to China". "Until now, there have been requests for returns from China related to Uighurs in Turkey. And you know Turkey hasn't taken steps like this," Cavusoglu told reporters in Ankara. It would be "wrong and unfair to say it's a deal for the extradition of Uighurs. We are more sensitive to such issues than others," he said. Uighurs speak a Turkic language and have cultural ties with Turkey that make it a favoured destination for avoiding persecution in China's northwestern region of Xinjiang. But news reports have accused Turkey of covertly returning Uighurs to China via third countries. Rights activists say Xinjiang is home to a vast network of extrajudicial internment camps that have imprisoned at least one million people. China says these are vocational training centres to counter extremism. Ethnic Uighurs rallied for the ninth day running Wednesday to express their fears about the extradition treaty. "God willing, we hope our state will not approve such a thing," said Omer Farah, a Uighur with Turkish citizenship who said his children are detained in China. "But if it does, we are really worried. Because for China, all 50,000 Uighurs who live here are criminals."

Turkey brushes aside fears of Uighur deportations to China

China has made its Uighur extradition treaty with Turkey official. China now wants Turkey to extradite Uighurs directly without the involvement of 3rd parties. Will Recep Tayyip Erdogan betray Uighurs again? Palki Sharma has a report.

Gravitas: China-Turkey extradition treaty

A new report claims that technology giant Alibaba Group Holding Ltd has facial recognition technology which can specifically pick out members of China's Uighur minority.

Surveillance industry researcher IPVM's report comes as human rights groups accuse China of forcing over 1 million Muslim Uighurs into labour camps, and call out firms suspected of complicity.

US-based IPVM in a report published on Wednesday said software capable of identifying Uighurs appears in Alibaba's Cloud Shield content moderation service for websites.

IPVM said mention of Uighurs in the software disappeared near the time it published its report, and that Alibaba told it the feature has only been used "in a testing environment".

Alibaba describes Cloud Shield as a system that "detects and recognises text, pictures, videos, and voices containing pornography, politics, violent terrorism, advertisements, and spam, and provides verification, marking, custom configuration and other capabilities."

An archived record of the technology shows it can perform such tasks as "glasses inspection", "smile detection", whether the subject is "ethnic" and, specifically, "Is it Uighur".

Consequently, if a Uighur livestreams a video on a website signed up to Cloud Shield, the software can detect that the user is Uighur and flag the video for review or removal, IPVM researcher Charles Rollet told Reuters.

Contrary to these findings, China has repeatedly denied forcing anyone into what it has called vocational training centres, and has also said the region of Xinjiang is under threat from Islamist militants.

Alibaba is listed on both the New York and Hong Kong stock exchanges. It is the biggest cloud computing vendor in China and the fourth worldwide, showed data from researcher Canalys.

(with inputs)

A new report claims that technology giant Alibaba Group Holding Ltd has facial recognition technology which can specifically pick out members of China's Uighur minority.

A new report claims that technology giant Alibaba Group Holding Ltd has facial recognition technology which can specifically pick out members of China's Uighur minority. Surveillance industry researcher IPVM's report comes as human rights groups accuse China of forcing over 1 million Muslim Uighurs into labour camps, and call out firms suspected of complicity. US-based IPVM in a report published on Wednesday said software capable of identifying Uighurs appears in Alibaba's Cloud Shield content moderation service for websites. IPVM said mention of Uighurs in the software disappeared near the time it published its report, and that Alibaba told it the feature has only been used "in a testing environment". Alibaba describes Cloud Shield as a system that "detects and recognises text, pictures, videos, and voices containing pornography, politics, violent terrorism, advertisements, and spam, and provides verification, marking, custom configuration and other capabilities." An archived record of the technology shows it can perform such tasks as "glasses inspection", "smile detection", whether the subject is "ethnic" and, specifically, "Is it Uighur". Consequently, if a Uighur livestreams a video on a website signed up to Cloud Shield, the software can detect that the user is Uighur and flag the video for review or removal, IPVM researcher Charles Rollet told Reuters. Contrary to these findings, China has repeatedly denied forcing anyone into what it has called vocational training centres, and has also said the region of Xinjiang is under threat from Islamist militants. Alibaba is listed on both the New York and Hong Kong stock exchanges. It is the biggest cloud computing vendor in China and the fourth worldwide, showed data from researcher Canalys. (with inputs)

Alibaba facial recognition tech can specifically pick out Uighur minority, new report says

Huawei has worked with at least four partner companies to develop surveillance technologies that claim to monitor people by ethnicity, The Washington Post reported Saturday.

According to the report, it's artificial intelligence surveillance technology, which includes a face-scanning camera system that can send a "Uighur alarm" to police after detecting a member of the group, has sparked an international outcry against one of China's most valuable tech companies.

Washington Post reported that despite the company's claims that it is committed to human rights at the highest level, Huawei has worked with dozens of security contractors to develop surveillance products, some of which are said to be able to identify a person's ethnicity and help suppress potential protests, according to company marketing documents.

The international backlash included a French soccer star, Antoine Griezmann, who publicly ended his work as a Huawei brand ambassador and urged the company to 'condemn this mass repression'.

Meanwhile, Huawei representatives refuted the allegations, saying that the document outlining the "Uighur alarm", used language that is "completely unacceptable".

"It is not compatible with the values of Huawei... Our technologies are not designed to identify ethnic groups," said a representative.

However, products made by Huawei with four other partner companies were also advertised to have ethnicity-tracking capabilities, according to Chinese language marketing materials posted on a public Huawei website where the material could be downloaded by anyone who registered an account. After Washington Post approached Huawei for comment, the site briefly became inaccessible, and the number of product collaborations detailed on the site had dropped from over 2,000 to 38, after returning.

"We take the allegations in the Washington Post's article very seriously and are investigating the issues raised within," a Huawei spokesperson said in a statement to The Post.

Huawei and its partners have provided some of the surveillance products to authorities in China's Xinjiang region, where the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) have detained thousands of Uighur Muslims, in an attempt to control and assimilate the ethnic minority group through a mass 're-education' campaign.

Among the surveillance products was a facial recognition system used by police in the Xinjiang capital, Urumqi, and a highway surveillance camera system for the region, according to documents from Huawei's website.

The company's partnerships reflect the ongoing expansion of surveillance in China, where top officials have called for police to use big data to fight crime, under the slogan, "One Person, One File," a phrase signifying the use of disparate information streams, from surveillance footage to Internet chat history, to better track individuals, reported Washington Post.

Jerome Cohen, a veteran China human rights legal expert, said racial profiling and discrimination are prevalent in China. The country's government is "engaging in racial profiling on a massive scale," he said.

Marketing materials for products co-developed by Huawei with DeepGlint, Bresee and Maiyuesoft also mention ethnicity identification or search features. The three companies did not respond to requests for comment.

Classified documents known as the China Cables, accessed last year by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, threw light on how the Chinese government uses technology to control Uighur Muslims worldwide.

However, China regularly denies such mistreatment and says the camps provide vocational training, while people in the internment camps have described being subjected to forced political indoctrination, torture, beatings, and denial of food and medicine, and say they have been prohibited from practising their religion or speaking their language.

(With inputs from agencies)

Huawei has worked with at least four partner companies to develop surveillance technologies that claim to monitor people by ethnicity, The Washington Post reported Saturday.

Huawei has worked with at least four partner companies to develop surveillance technologies that claim to monitor people by ethnicity, The Washington Post reported Saturday. According to the report, it's artificial intelligence surveillance technology, which includes a face-scanning camera system that can send a "Uighur alarm" to police after detecting a member of the group, has sparked an international outcry against one of China's most valuable tech companies. Washington Post reported that despite the company's claims that it is committed to human rights at the highest level, Huawei has worked with dozens of security contractors to develop surveillance products, some of which are said to be able to identify a person's ethnicity and help suppress potential protests, according to company marketing documents. The international backlash included a French soccer star, Antoine Griezmann, who publicly ended his work as a Huawei brand ambassador and urged the company to 'condemn this mass repression'. Meanwhile, Huawei representatives refuted the allegations, saying that the document outlining the "Uighur alarm", used language that is "completely unacceptable". "It is not compatible with the values of Huawei... Our technologies are not designed to identify ethnic groups," said a representative. However, products made by Huawei with four other partner companies were also advertised to have ethnicity-tracking capabilities, according to Chinese language marketing materials posted on a public Huawei website where the material could be downloaded by anyone who registered an account. After Washington Post approached Huawei for comment, the site briefly became inaccessible, and the number of product collaborations detailed on the site had dropped from over 2,000 to 38, after returning. "We take the allegations in the Washington Post's article very seriously and are investigating the issues raised within," a Huawei spokesperson said in a statement to The Post. Huawei and its partners have provided some of the surveillance products to authorities in China's Xinjiang region, where the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) have detained thousands of Uighur Muslims, in an attempt to control and assimilate the ethnic minority group through a mass 're-education' campaign. Among the surveillance products was a facial recognition system used by police in the Xinjiang capital, Urumqi, and a highway surveillance camera system for the region, according to documents from Huawei's website. The company's partnerships reflect the ongoing expansion of surveillance in China, where top officials have called for police to use big data to fight crime, under the slogan, "One Person, One File," a phrase signifying the use of disparate information streams, from surveillance footage to Internet chat history, to better track individuals, reported Washington Post. Jerome Cohen, a veteran China human rights legal expert, said racial profiling and discrimination are prevalent in China. The country's government is "engaging in racial profiling on a massive scale," he said. Marketing materials for products co-developed by Huawei with DeepGlint, Bresee and Maiyuesoft also mention ethnicity identification or search features. The three companies did not respond to requests for comment. Classified documents known as the China Cables, accessed last year by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, threw light on how the Chinese government uses technology to control Uighur Muslims worldwide. However, China regularly denies such mistreatment and says the camps provide vocational training, while people in the internment camps have described being subjected to forced political indoctrination, torture, beatings, and denial of food and medicine, and say they have been prohibited from practising their religion or speaking their language. (With inputs from agencies)

Uighur alarm: Huawei worked with companies to build tools that track people by ethnicity

Sadam Abdusalam posted photographs on social media on Friday of his family arriving at Sydney airport, and thanked Australia’s Foreign Minister Marise Payne as well as human rights activists for their help.

Uighur family separated by Beijing reunites after 3 years

According to reports, Chinese telecom giant Huawei tested Artificial Intelligence software that could identify Uighur minorities to alert government authorities.

Huawei tested AI software to identify Uighur Muslims

United States has imposed new restrictions on the products from China's Xinjiang province. Cotton products which are produced using slave labour in Uighur camps, no longer be imported into the US.

US imposes new restrictions on products from China's Xinjiang province

The deputy White House national security advisor has denounced China's treatment of Uighur Muslims, saying there was no justification for the country maintaining "concentration camps" within its borders.

Matt Pottinger made the remark in Mandarin in an online address to the UK-based Policy Exchange think tank.

Pottinger has been a leading figure in the development of President Donald Trump's China policy.

His remark represented a further ratcheting up of American rhetoric against China in the run-up to the November 3 US presidential election, in which Trump, a Republican, has made a tough approach to China a key foreign policy theme.

Last week, US national security advisor Robert O'Brien said China was perpetrating "something close to" genocide with its treatment of Muslims in its Xinjiang region.

The United States has denounced China's treatment of Uighur and other minority Muslims in Xinjiang and imposed sanctions on officials it blames for abuses.

It has not, though, so far termed Beijing's actions genocide, a designation that would have significant legal implications and require stronger action against China.

The United Nations estimates that more than a million Muslims have been detained in Xinjiang, and activists say crimes against humanity and genocide are taking place there. China has denied any abuses and says its camps in the region provide vocational training and help fight extremism.

Pottinger spoke after China's President Xi Jinping delivered a speech on the 70th anniversary of Chinese troops entering the Korean War to fight against US troops, in which he warned that China will never allow its sovereignty, security and development interests to be undermined.

Xi did not directly refer to the present-day United States, with which relations have sunk to their lowest in decades over disputes ranging from trade and technology to human rights and the coronavirus.

The deputy White House national security advisor has denounced China's treatment of Uighur Muslims, saying there was no justification for the country maintaining "concentration camps" within its borders.

The deputy White House national security advisor has denounced China's treatment of Uighur Muslims, saying there was no justification for the country maintaining "concentration camps" within its borders. Matt Pottinger made the remark in Mandarin in an online address to the UK-based Policy Exchange think tank. Pottinger has been a leading figure in the development of President Donald Trump's China policy. His remark represented a further ratcheting up of American rhetoric against China in the run-up to the November 3 US presidential election, in which Trump, a Republican, has made a tough approach to China a key foreign policy theme. Last week, US national security advisor Robert O'Brien said China was perpetrating "something close to" genocide with its treatment of Muslims in its Xinjiang region. The United States has denounced China's treatment of Uighur and other minority Muslims in Xinjiang and imposed sanctions on officials it blames for abuses. It has not, though, so far termed Beijing's actions genocide, a designation that would have significant legal implications and require stronger action against China. The United Nations estimates that more than a million Muslims have been detained in Xinjiang, and activists say crimes against humanity and genocide are taking place there. China has denied any abuses and says its camps in the region provide vocational training and help fight extremism. Pottinger spoke after China's President Xi Jinping delivered a speech on the 70th anniversary of Chinese troops entering the Korean War to fight against US troops, in which he warned that China will never allow its sovereignty, security and development interests to be undermined. Xi did not directly refer to the present-day United States, with which relations have sunk to their lowest in decades over disputes ranging from trade and technology to human rights and the coronavirus.

US says no justification for Uighur 'concentration camps' in China

The Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has slammed CHina for its ill-treatment of&nbsp;Uighur Muslims and has warned the Asian country against its&nbsp;"coercive diplomacy".

On the 50th anniversary of Canada's diplomatic ties with China,&nbsp;Trudeau warned China against the inhumane treatment and its&nbsp;"coercive diplomacy" in Hong Kong as well as the detention of Uighur Muslims.

He warned China that Canada will not back down from taking actions against these allegations, especially after the increasing detention of Canadian citizens in China.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/canada-gets-consular-access-to-citizens-detained-in-china-334474">Also read:&nbsp;Canada gets consular access to citizens detained in China</a>

"We will remain absolutely committed to working with our allies to ensure that China's approach of coercive diplomacy, its arbitrary detention of two Canadian citizens alongside other citizens of other countries around the world is not viewed as a successful tactic by them," Trudeau said at a press conference.

He also urged other countries to come together to fight against China's rising tensions with the world. He vowed that Canada will "continue to work with our fellow like-minded nations around the world, to impress upon China that its approach to internal affairs and global affairs is not on a particularly productive path for itself or for all of us."

The statements have come a few days after Canada finally gained consular access to&nbsp;Canadian former diplomat Michael Kovrig and businessman Michael Spavor who have been detained in China over the charged of espionage. Canada, however, believes this is a retaliation by China over&nbsp;Canada's arrest of Meng Wanzhou, chief financial officer of Chinese telecoms giant Huawei and daughter of its founder.

The Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has slammed CHina for its ill-treatment of Uighur Muslims and has warned the Asian country against its "coercive diplomacy".

The Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has slammed CHina for its ill-treatment of Uighur Muslims and has warned the Asian country against its "coercive diplomacy". On the 50th anniversary of Canada's diplomatic ties with China, Trudeau warned China against the inhumane treatment and its "coercive diplomacy" in Hong Kong as well as the detention of Uighur Muslims. He warned China that Canada will not back down from taking actions against these allegations, especially after the increasing detention of Canadian citizens in China. Also read: Canada gets consular access to citizens detained in China "We will remain absolutely committed to working with our allies to ensure that China's approach of coercive diplomacy, its arbitrary detention of two Canadian citizens alongside other citizens of other countries around the world is not viewed as a successful tactic by them," Trudeau said at a press conference. He also urged other countries to come together to fight against China's rising tensions with the world. He vowed that Canada will "continue to work with our fellow like-minded nations around the world, to impress upon China that its approach to internal affairs and global affairs is not on a particularly productive path for itself or for all of us." The statements have come a few days after Canada finally gained consular access to Canadian former diplomat Michael Kovrig and businessman Michael Spavor who have been detained in China over the charged of espionage. Canada, however, believes this is a retaliation by China over Canada's arrest of Meng Wanzhou, chief financial officer of Chinese telecoms giant Huawei and daughter of its founder.

Justin Trudeau vows to fight against China's treatment of Uighur and Hong Kong

China has long been known as the global workshop, but after COVID-19, business has started moving out of the country. And shocking revelations continue to emerge: A US report calls China a hotspot for forced labour. According to the report, 83 foreign and Chinese companies benefited from this.

If Chinese propaganda is to be believed, the ethnic minorities in Xinjiang are happy and prosperous. In a video, the Chinese ambassador to Belgium says the minorities in Xinjiang are happy and carefree.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/india-news/uk-government-mulls-proposal-to-allow-uighurs-to-file-plea-in-high-court-against-genocide-in-china-331393" hreflang="en">UK government mulls proposal to allow Uighurs to file plea in High Court against genocide in China</a>

But there is the another side of Xinjiang which China hasn't shared. A report from August narrates the tale of how Uighur Muslims are pushed into forced labour.&nbsp;As the global demand for personal protective equipment or PPE shot up, Uighurs were sent to work in at least 17 companies against their will.

China describes it as lifting the poor out of poverty, but a new report by the US Labour Department blows the lid off China's slavery program.

China tops the list of countries exporting products made with forced labour

China tops the list of countries that are exporting products made with forced labour. Reports say that origins of at least 17 goods can be traced back to forced and child labour. This includes artificial flowers, Christmas decorations, coal, fish, footwear, gloves, hair products and more.

Forced labour now taints several industries in China

According to the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, as many as 83 foreign and Chinese companies benefited from China's forced labour transfer programme. The list includes names of famous brands like Apple, BMW, GAP, Huawei, Nike, Samsung, Sony, and Volkswagen.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/after-uighurs-china-targets-religious-identity-of-another-muslim-minority-330806" hreflang="en">After Uighurs, China targets religious identity of another Muslim minority</a>

Major powers are now questioning China's detention centres in Xinjiang, and Beijing has tried to evade the scrutiny by denying their existence. Another report says that china is now building bigger detention centres in Xinjiang. The report goes on to describe one such facility spread across 60 acres.

With 13 five-story residential buildings, the entire detention camp is surrounded by high walls. Allegedly, it can accommodate more than 10,000 people. Forced labour is part of a broad Chinese government campaign of repression against the minorities.

Even though China denies all charges, the evidence is clear. After the COVID-19 outbreak, several companies are thinking of moving their factories away from China.

China has long been known as the global workshop, but after COVID-19, business has started moving out of the country. And shocking revelations continue to emerge: A US report calls China a hotspot for forced labour.

China has long been known as the global workshop, but after COVID-19, business has started moving out of the country. And shocking revelations continue to emerge: A US report calls China a hotspot for forced labour. According to the report, 83 foreign and Chinese companies benefited from this. If Chinese propaganda is to be believed, the ethnic minorities in Xinjiang are happy and prosperous. In a video, the Chinese ambassador to Belgium says the minorities in Xinjiang are happy and carefree. Also read: UK government mulls proposal to allow Uighurs to file plea in High Court against genocide in China But there is the another side of Xinjiang which China hasn't shared. A report from August narrates the tale of how Uighur Muslims are pushed into forced labour. As the global demand for personal protective equipment or PPE shot up, Uighurs were sent to work in at least 17 companies against their will. China describes it as lifting the poor out of poverty, but a new report by the US Labour Department blows the lid off China's slavery program. China tops the list of countries exporting products made with forced labour China tops the list of countries that are exporting products made with forced labour. Reports say that origins of at least 17 goods can be traced back to forced and child labour. This includes artificial flowers, Christmas decorations, coal, fish, footwear, gloves, hair products and more. Forced labour now taints several industries in China According to the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, as many as 83 foreign and Chinese companies benefited from China's forced labour transfer programme. The list includes names of famous brands like Apple, BMW, GAP, Huawei, Nike, Samsung, Sony, and Volkswagen. Also read: After Uighurs, China targets religious identity of another Muslim minority Major powers are now questioning China's detention centres in Xinjiang, and Beijing has tried to evade the scrutiny by denying their existence. Another report says that china is now building bigger detention centres in Xinjiang. The report goes on to describe one such facility spread across 60 acres. With 13 five-story residential buildings, the entire detention camp is surrounded by high walls. Allegedly, it can accommodate more than 10,000 people. Forced labour is part of a broad Chinese government campaign of repression against the minorities. Even though China denies all charges, the evidence is clear. After the COVID-19 outbreak, several companies are thinking of moving their factories away from China.

China: Where forced labour is used to sideline minorities

The Chinese government has officially confirmed the death of a missing Uighur man whose daughter believes had been held in a Xinjiang internment centre since 2017.

China forcefully confirms Uighur man's death in response to UN's inquiry

China forced to acknowledge Uighur man's death :Responds to inquiry by UN

China confirms death of Uighur man: 'Death due to pneumonia and tuberculosis' | World News

Regularly, the world hears of reports from various sources about China's atrocities on Muslim minority Uighurs, a community largely based in the region of Xinjiang.

However, a fresh report has suggested that Beijing's ill-treatment is not just limited to one Muslim community, but another group on the island province of Hainan is facing a suppression of carrying out religious activities.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/happiness-in-xinjiang-on-the-rise-chinas-xi-jinping-claims-330695">'Happiness' in Xinjiang on the rise, China's Xi Jinping claims</a>

A report by South China Morning Post (SCMC) said China is targeting the Utsuls, a small Muslim population-based in Sanya in Hainan, where residents are not allowed to wear traditional dresses in government offices and schools.&nbsp;

It said documents of the Communist Party also indicate an increase in surveillance of Muslim-dominated neighbourhoods to "resolve" issues and tighter curbs on religious and "Arabic" architecture.&nbsp;

Earlier this month, hijab was banned from schools which led to protests from Utsuls

Chinese social media showed how Muslim girls with headscarves were studying outside Tianya Utsul primary school and were surrounded by police officials.&nbsp;

"The official line is that no ethnic minority can wear traditional garments on school grounds but other ethnic minorities [in Sanya] don’t wear traditional garments in their daily life so it’s makes no difference to them but to us, the hijab is an integral part of our culture, if we take it off it’s like stripping off our clothes," said a Utsul who is involved with community work, as quoted by SCMP.&nbsp;

Regularly, the world hears of reports from various sources about China's atrocities on Muslim minority Uighurs, a community largely based in the region of Xinjiang.

Regularly, the world hears of reports from various sources about China's atrocities on Muslim minority Uighurs, a community largely based in the region of Xinjiang. However, a fresh report has suggested that Beijing's ill-treatment is not just limited to one Muslim community, but another group on the island province of Hainan is facing a suppression of carrying out religious activities. Also read | 'Happiness' in Xinjiang on the rise, China's Xi Jinping claims A report by South China Morning Post (SCMC) said China is targeting the Utsuls, a small Muslim population-based in Sanya in Hainan, where residents are not allowed to wear traditional dresses in government offices and schools. It said documents of the Communist Party also indicate an increase in surveillance of Muslim-dominated neighbourhoods to "resolve" issues and tighter curbs on religious and "Arabic" architecture. Earlier this month, hijab was banned from schools which led to protests from Utsuls Chinese social media showed how Muslim girls with headscarves were studying outside Tianya Utsul primary school and were surrounded by police officials. "The official line is that no ethnic minority can wear traditional garments on school grounds but other ethnic minorities [in Sanya] don’t wear traditional garments in their daily life so it’s makes no difference to them but to us, the hijab is an integral part of our culture, if we take it off it’s like stripping off our clothes," said a Utsul who is involved with community work, as quoted by SCMP.

After Uighurs, China targets religious identity of another Muslim minority

Chinese officials have finally acknowledged that birth rates in Xinjiang dropped by almost a third in 2018, compared to the previous year.

According to a CNN report, they also denied reports of forced sterilisation and genocide by authorities in the far western region.

The Xinjiang government sent CNN a six-page fax in response to questions for an article published in July that documented a campaign of abuse and control by Beijing targetting women from the Uyghur minority, a Muslim ethnic group numbering more than 10 million people.&nbsp;

China has often been accused of widespread human rights abuses in Xinjiang. Up to 2 million Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities are believed to have been placed in mass detention centres in the region, according to the US State Department.

These people have allegedly been subject to indoctrination and abuse.

Beijing, however, claims that these centres are voluntary and provide vocational training as part of a de-radicalisation programme in Xinjiang.

But CNN had said that some Uyghur women were being forced to use birth control and undergo sterilisation as part of a deliberate attempt to push down birth rates among minorities in Xinjiang.

In its response, the Xinjiang government strongly denied the claims of genocide, arguing instead that the Uyghur population has been "growing continuously" during the past decade and that Zenz's report was not "in line with the real situation in Xinjiang."

The Xinjiang government said in its response that the birth rate in the region had dropped from 15.88 per 1,000 people in 2017 to 10.69 per 1,000 people in 2018 -- due to "the comprehensive implementation of the family planning policy."

The Xinjiang government attributed the sudden drop in population to Beijing's family planning policies finally being properly implemented in the region after 2017. 
&nbsp;

Chinese officials have finally acknowledged that birth rates in Xinjiang dropped by almost a third in 2018, compared to the previous year. According to a CNN report, they also denied reports of forced sterilisation and genocide by authorities in the far western region.

Chinese officials have finally acknowledged that birth rates in Xinjiang dropped by almost a third in 2018, compared to the previous year. According to a CNN report, they also denied reports of forced sterilisation and genocide by authorities in the far western region. The Xinjiang government sent CNN a six-page fax in response to questions for an article published in July that documented a campaign of abuse and control by Beijing targetting women from the Uyghur minority, a Muslim ethnic group numbering more than 10 million people. China has often been accused of widespread human rights abuses in Xinjiang. Up to 2 million Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities are believed to have been placed in mass detention centres in the region, according to the US State Department. These people have allegedly been subject to indoctrination and abuse. Beijing, however, claims that these centres are voluntary and provide vocational training as part of a de-radicalisation programme in Xinjiang. But CNN had said that some Uyghur women were being forced to use birth control and undergo sterilisation as part of a deliberate attempt to push down birth rates among minorities in Xinjiang. In its response, the Xinjiang government strongly denied the claims of genocide, arguing instead that the Uyghur population has been "growing continuously" during the past decade and that Zenz's report was not "in line with the real situation in Xinjiang." The Xinjiang government said in its response that the birth rate in the region had dropped from 15.88 per 1,000 people in 2017 to 10.69 per 1,000 people in 2018 -- due to "the comprehensive implementation of the family planning policy." The Xinjiang government attributed the sudden drop in population to Beijing's family planning policies finally being properly implemented in the region after 2017.

Xinjiang govt confirms birth rate drop but denies forced sterilisation of women

China has published a white paper defending its policy in the region, saying the vocational training has improved workforce quality. The authorities claim that these training programmes, work schemes and better education have improved the lives of these migrants.

China publishes white paper applauding employment generated in Xinjiang

United Nations Human Rights Council on Tuesday said that they are concerned about the religious repression of Uighurs in China.

UN concerned about religious repression of Uighurs in China

In the Xinjiang region, including from a "vocational" centre that it branded a "concentration camp" for Uighur minorities. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/models-rare-video-highlights-plight-of-uighur-muslims-in-china-318260">Also read | Model's rare video highlights plight of Uighur Muslims in China</a>

"The Chinese government is engaged in systematic abuses against the Uighur people" and other minorities, said Mark Morgan, acting commissioner of the Customs and Border Protection agency. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uighur-situation-us-uk-and-germany-corner-china-at-unsc-323216">Also read | Uighur situation: US, UK and Germany corner China at UNSC</a> 
 
"Forced labor is an atrocious human rights abuse," he said. 
 
The items include cotton, garments, hair products and electronics from five specific manufacturers in Xinjiang as well as adjacent Anhui.

It also included all products tied to the Lop County No. 4 Vocational Skills Education and Training Center in Xinjiang, which Homeland Security Acting Deputy Secretary Ken Cuccinelli said was a centre of forced labour.

"This is not a vocational centre, it is a concentration camp, a place where religious and ethnic minorities are subject to abuse and forced to work in heinous conditions with no recourse and no freedom," Cuccinelli told reporters.

"This is modern-day slavery."

The actions announced consisted of "withhold release orders" or WROs, which empower the CBP to seize products from the blacklisted companies and organizations.

The US government is increasingly using such orders to pressure Beijing over its detention of more than one million members of the mostly Muslim Uighur minority in Xinjiang for ostensible reeducation.

Calling attention to abuses

In July, the customs agency placed WRO blocks on hair products, used for wigs and extensions, from several companies operating in Xinjiang, and in August did the same for garments made and sold by the Hero Vast Group.

"The Chinese government needs to close its concentration camps," said Cuccinelli.

The move came as rights groups and members of US Congress press the administration of President Donald Trump to take more resolute action over alleged Chinese repression of Muslims in the country's vast west.

In July the US Treasury imposed sanctions on a major paramilitary group, Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, accusing it of abuses against Uighurs and other mostly Muslim groups.

It also hit several officials with sanctions, including Chen Quanguo, the Chinese Communist Party chief for the Xinjiang region and architect of Beijing's hardline policies against restive minorities.

"The Trump Administration has led the world in calling attention to the Chinese Communist Party's egregious human rights abuses in Xinjiang, and we've taken action to back up our rhetoric," said Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in a statement.

CBP officials said they are currently studying a measure to place a block on all cotton and tomatoes from Xinjiang.

In August the Investor Alliance for Human Rights called for a ban on all cotton-made goods linked to Xinjiang, which supplies the lion's share of China's cotton.

In the Xinjiang region, including from a "vocational" centre that it branded a "concentration camp" for Uighur minorities. Also read | Model's rare video highlights plight of Uighur Muslims in China "The Chinese government is engaged in systematic abuses against the Uighur people" and other minorities, said Mark Morgan, acting commissioner of the Customs and Border Protection agency.

In the Xinjiang region, including from a "vocational" centre that it branded a "concentration camp" for Uighur minorities. Also read | Model's rare video highlights plight of Uighur Muslims in China "The Chinese government is engaged in systematic abuses against the Uighur people" and other minorities, said Mark Morgan, acting commissioner of the Customs and Border Protection agency. Also read | Uighur situation: US, UK and Germany corner China at UNSC "Forced labor is an atrocious human rights abuse," he said. The items include cotton, garments, hair products and electronics from five specific manufacturers in Xinjiang as well as adjacent Anhui. It also included all products tied to the Lop County No. 4 Vocational Skills Education and Training Center in Xinjiang, which Homeland Security Acting Deputy Secretary Ken Cuccinelli said was a centre of forced labour. "This is not a vocational centre, it is a concentration camp, a place where religious and ethnic minorities are subject to abuse and forced to work in heinous conditions with no recourse and no freedom," Cuccinelli told reporters. "This is modern-day slavery." The actions announced consisted of "withhold release orders" or WROs, which empower the CBP to seize products from the blacklisted companies and organizations. The US government is increasingly using such orders to pressure Beijing over its detention of more than one million members of the mostly Muslim Uighur minority in Xinjiang for ostensible reeducation. Calling attention to abuses In July, the customs agency placed WRO blocks on hair products, used for wigs and extensions, from several companies operating in Xinjiang, and in August did the same for garments made and sold by the Hero Vast Group. "The Chinese government needs to close its concentration camps," said Cuccinelli. The move came as rights groups and members of US Congress press the administration of President Donald Trump to take more resolute action over alleged Chinese repression of Muslims in the country's vast west. In July the US Treasury imposed sanctions on a major paramilitary group, Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, accusing it of abuses against Uighurs and other mostly Muslim groups. It also hit several officials with sanctions, including Chen Quanguo, the Chinese Communist Party chief for the Xinjiang region and architect of Beijing's hardline policies against restive minorities. "The Trump Administration has led the world in calling attention to the Chinese Communist Party's egregious human rights abuses in Xinjiang, and we've taken action to back up our rhetoric," said Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in a statement. CBP officials said they are currently studying a measure to place a block on all cotton and tomatoes from Xinjiang. In August the Investor Alliance for Human Rights called for a ban on all cotton-made goods linked to Xinjiang, which supplies the lion's share of China's cotton.

US puts block on Chinese products from Uighur ‘forced labour’

A genocide of Uighur Muslims is underway in Xinjiang, but the Islamic world has chosen China's money over China's Muslims. The principle of 'Muslim brotherhood' is being used based on economic interests. On Gravitas Plus, Palki Sharma Upadhyay challenges top 5 Islamic leaders to break their silence.

Gravitas Plus: Uighur genocide: Speak up, Islamic world

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