A Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office spokesperson said:

Today the Chinese Charge d’Affaires, Yang Xiaoguang, was summoned to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. Minister for Asia, Nigel Adams MP, made clear Beijing’s decision to impose sanctions on British individuals and entities is unwarranted and unacceptable.

The Minister noted that China has chosen to sanction individuals and entities that are seeking to shine a light on human rights violations and that today’s actions would not distract attention away from those very violations taking place in Xinjiang.

Background

• The Charge d’affaires was summoned due to China not currently having an Ambassador in London following the end of the previous incumbent’s tenure