Pompeo labels China’s treatment of Uighurs ‘genocide’

The US secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, has declared that China is committing “ongoing” genocide against Uighur Muslims in Xinjiang province, less than 24 hours before leaving office.

The incoming Biden team termed the persecution of Uighurs a genocide in August, and Anthony Blinken, nominated to succeed Pompeo, told a Senate confirmation hearing on Tuesday that he agreed with the new designation.

Despite intense political pressure, the Trump administration did not make a formal declaration earlier because of concerns of its impact on trade talks.

“These acts are an affront to the Chinese people and to civilized nations everywhere,” Pompeo said on Twitter. “The People’s Republic of China and the CCP must be held to account.”

There was no immediate response from the incoming Biden team, although several members have been sympathetic to such a designation in the past. Pompeo’s determination does not come with any immediate repercussions.