China Slams Canada Over Human Rights Sanctions, Accuses Ottawa of Hypocrisy
China sharply criticized Canada on Wednesday in response to new human rights sanctions imposed on eight Chinese officials, calling out Canada for its own human rights issues. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning accused Canada of having a “long history of human rights violations” and warned Ottawa not to “brazenly slander” China while ignoring its own problems.
This statement came after Canada imposed sanctions on Chinese officials over alleged abuses against ethnic and religious minorities in regions like Xinjiang and Tibet, as well as against practitioners of Falun Gong.
Mao dismissed the sanctions as a “laughingstock,” accusing Canada of hypocrisy and urging the country to lift what she called “illegal” measures. The Chinese government has repeatedly denied accusations of human rights violations, including reports of widespread detentions and mistreatment of Uyghurs in Xinjiang.
Meanwhile, Canada has expressed deep concern about these reports, including claims of more than one million people arbitrarily detained since 2017, subject to physical and psychological abuse.
The exchange underscores the growing tensions between the two nations, with China warning it would take necessary actions to defend its sovereignty and security.
Canada’s own human rights record, particularly concerning missing Indigenous women and its handling of pro-Gaza demonstrations, has also been under scrutiny, leaving both countries grappling with issues of human rights credibility.
