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<p>We have not made an assessment of the extent of corruption within the so-called
“re-education camps” in Xinjiang. Nevertheless, we have particularly serious concerns
about the credible reports of over a million Uyghurs and other minorities being detained
in these camps.</p><p> </p><p>Indeed, ministers and senior officials frequently raise
the issue with their Chinese counterparts. The Foreign Secretary highlighted our concerns
with Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his most recent
visit to China. Later that month, I did the same with my Chinese counterpart Vice
Minister Guo Yezhou. Additionally, our Embassy in Beijing regularly raises the treatment
of Uyghurs in Xinjiang with the Chinese authorities.</p><p> </p><p>Further, we spoke
publicly about the situation in the region at the 40th UN Human Rights Council in
February and March. The Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or
Belief, Lord (Tariq) Ahmad, also raised our concerns during his opening address on
25 February, and the UK spoke about Xinjiang during our “Item 4” national statement
on 12 March. Following this, we co-sponsored a side event on “Protecting the fundamental
freedoms in Xinjiang” on 13 March which helped to raise awareness of the situation
among the international community.</p><p> </p><p>Moreover, in our statement at China’s
Universal Periodic Review on 6 November, we made clear our concern about the treatment
of Uyghurs in China. The UK issued a specific recommendation to China that it implements
the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination’s recommendations on
Xinjiang and allows the UN to monitor the implementation.</p>
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