In an increasing diplomatic spat, China on Friday sanctioned four organizations and nine individuals in the United Kingdom over Xinjiang , days after Britain imposed sanctions for alleged human rights abuses in the western Chinese province. According to the statement of Chinese Foreign Ministry the move by Western bloc was based on “nothing but lies and disinformation, and grossly interferes in China´s internal affairs, and severely undermines China-United Kingdom relations.” Moreover the statement said that Britain’s ambassador to China has been summoned for a diplomatic protest.

The step was anticipated after China put retaliatory sanctions on European lawmakers, scholars and institutions on Monday as the 27 nation European Union , US, Britain and Canada on Monday imposed sanctions on Chinese officials accusing them of human rights abuses in Xinjiang. China denied allegations of human rights abuses by its officials in the western region of Xinjiang, one of the major flashpoints between the western Countries and China.