China considers UN event on Xinjiang an insult

An official for the Chinese foreign ministry, Hua Chunying, said on Monday that the use of the United Nations as a platform for a virtual event on the repression of Uyghur Muslims and other minorities in Xinjiang was an insult.

China also urged UN member states not to attend the virtual event that was planned by Germany, the United States and Britain, Reuters reported.

A number of Western countries have accused Chinese authorities in the region of Xinjiang of detaining and torturing Uyghur muslims in camps. There have also been some economic restrictions imposed on products being exported from the area.

Beijing has so far denied accusations.

"The US has banded up with several countries, abused the United Nations' resources and platform, and smeared and attacked China to serve its own interests," she said at a daily news conference in Beijing.

"This is total blasphemy against the United Nations," she said.

China added that the event, to be held on Wednesday, used human rights issues as a mere political tool to meddle in China’s internal affairs.