China denounces Xinjiang-related sanctions, accusations from US

21:38, October 08, 2019

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  US sanctions Russia-related individuals, entities over alleged elections meddling

  US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. (File photo: Xinhua)WASHINGTON, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced on Monday that the United States had imposed sanctions on Russia-related individuals and entities allegedly involved in efforts to influence US elections.The United States imposed sanctions on four entities and seven individuals associated with the Internet Research Agency and its financier, Yevgeniy Prigozhin, Pompeo said in a statement.The Internet Research Agency used fictitious personas on social media and disseminated false information in an effort to attempt to influence the 2018 US midterm elections, the US Department of the Treasury said on the same day.According to the Treasury, Prigozhins personal property -- three private jets and a yacht -- was also among the targets of Mondays action.As a result of the sanctions, all property and interests in property of these persons, including the identified aircraft and vessel, that are or come within the possession of US persons are blocked. Also, US persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with them.Washingtons relationship with Moscow has been at a low point for a long time due to their disagreements on Syria, Ukraine, arms control issues as well as Russias alleged interference in the US elections.

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  China's national counterterrorism agency condemns US blacklist over Xinjiang-related issues

  (Photo: Xinhua)Chinas national counter-terrorism group on Wednesday urged the US to abandon its double standards on counter-terrorism issues, and stop indulging and supporting East Turkestan terrorist forces, so as to avoid hurting the US own interest.In a rare statement issued by Chinas National Anti-Terrorism Leading Group onXinjiang-related issues, the agency strongly condemned the US Department of Commerce for blacklisting 28 Chinese entities including government offices and public security bureaus over Xinjiang affairs.It urged the US to correct its mistake and withdraw the wrong decision and stop interfering in Chinas domestic affairs.The group held its first meeting in Beijing on August 27, 2013, marking its official establishment, and its current director is Chinese State Councilor Zhao Kezhi, also the Minister of Public Security.Northwest Chinas Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region has faced serious terrorist threats for a very long time, and counter-terrorism and de-radicalization measures adopted by the local government of Xinjiang have been preventing the emergence and growth of extremism and terrorism, which are entirely lawful in China and meet the standards of the international community, the statement said.The Xinjiang issue is Chinas domestic affairs, no country has the right to interfere, and the accusations against China on the so-called human rights issues in Xinjiang prove that this is an excuse created by the US to interfere in Chinas domestic affairs, the group said.

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  US House seeks Ukraine-related documents from Pence

  US Vice President Mike Pence talks to the gathered employees of Caterpillar during a visit to the Tinaja Hills Demonstrations and Learning Center, Green Valley, Ariz., Thursday, Oct. 3, 2019. (Photo: AP)WASHINGTON, Oct. 4 (Xinhua) -- Three US House committees investigating President Donald Trumps alleged inappropriate interactions with Ukraine sent a letter on Friday to Vice President Mike Pence, notifying him to submit documents related to the matter."Pursuant to the House of Representatives impeachment inquiry, we are hereby requesting that you produce the documents set forth in the accompanying schedule by October 15, 2019," read the letter sent by House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff, Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Eliot Engel and Oversight and Reform Committee Chairman Elijah Cummings.The action is part of the ongoing impeachment inquiry into Trump stemming from a whistleblower complaint alleging that the president pressured his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky, during a July 25 phone call to investigate Joe Biden, Democratic presidential candidate for the 2020 election, as well as issues related to alleged Russian interference in the 2016 election.The chairmen cited "recent public reports" as saying Pence may have played a role "in conveying or reinforcing the Presidents stark message to the Ukrainian President.""Your failure or refusal to comply with the request, including at the direction or behest of the President or the White House, shall constitute evidence of obstruction of justice of the Houses impeachment inquiry and may be used as an adverse inference against you and the President," the chairmen warned Pence in the letter.The committees requested from Pence all documents and communications related to Trumps April 21 and July 25 phone calls with Zelensky.They also asked Pence to hand in records on meetings with former US Special Representative for Ukraine Negotia...