Thread by @AFP

#BREAKING China announces sanctions against UK individuals, entities over Xinjiang

#UPDATE China imposes sanctions against nine UK individuals and four entities, saying they "maliciously spread lies and disinformation" over Beijing's treatment of the Muslim Uyghur minority.

Several Western powers have lodged protests over the human rights situation in Xinjiang

Xinjiang suspected detention facilities.

#AFPgraphics map of China's north-western Xinjiang region showing suspected detention centres, according to satellite imagery analysed by the Xinjiang Data Project of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute

#BREAKING UK 'condemns' China after it sanctions British lawmakers

#UPDATE Britain has accused China of attempting to "silence those highlighting human rights abuses" after Beijing sanctioned British lawmakers leading calls for action over its treatment of Uyghur Muslims

#BREAKING British PM backs critics of China's 'gross human rights violations'

#UPDATE Britain's government has given its full backing to British lawmakers and others sanctioned by China for speaking out in defence of the Uyghur Muslim minority
u.afp.com/UYPU