Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning

The Canadian government disregards the facts, using the so-called human rights banner to slander and smear China, imposing illegal sanctions on Chinese individuals, and blatantly interfering in China's internal affairs, which constitutes a serious violation of international law and the basic principles of international relations, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a press conference on Wednesday. She noted that China firmly opposes and strongly condemns these actions.  

On Tuesday, Mélanie Joly, Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs, announced sanctions against eight former or current Chinese senior officials citing alleged human rights violations in China, including in Xinjiang and Xizang regions.

Mao stated that the Chinese government adheres to the idea of people-centered development, places great importance on respecting and protecting human rights, and has made significant achievements in advancing China's human rights cause, contributing greatly to the development of human rights worldwide. This is a fact that cannot be denied by anyone who is unbiased, she emphasized. 

The Canadian side itself has a long history of human rights violations and numerous problems. Indigenous peoples continue to face systemic racial discrimination and unjust treatment. Rather than reflecting on its own problems, Canada brazenly slanders and defames other countries, spreading lies about so-called human rights issues in China, Mao said, calling it a typical case of "the thief shouting 'catch the thief'" and making itself a laughingstock in the eyes of the world.

In light of the facts, Canada's double standards and hypocrisy are fully exposed. Canada is in no position to act as a lecturer on human rights or point fingers at the human rights situation in other countries, said Mao, adding that Canada has no right to pose as a human rights judge or to impose illegal sanctions.

China strongly urges Canada to reflect on its own actions, cease interfering in China's internal affairs, stop using human rights as a pretext to damage China's interests and image, halt its clumsy political performances, and immediately lift the illegal sanctions on certain Chinese individuals. China will take all necessary measures to resolutely safeguard its national sovereignty, security, and development interests, said Mao. 

Global Times