China accuses Australia of 'systemic racism', 'hate crimes' after human rights concerns raised

In response to concerns raised by countries such as Australia regarding human rights issues in Xinjiang and Tibet, China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated that related affairs are China's internal affairs, and in turn accused Australia of systemic racism and hate crimes.

Previously, Australia's Ambassador to the United Nations, James Larsen, along with 14 other countries including Australia, issued a joint statement urging China to abide by its international human rights obligations, citing findings from previous investigations indicating serious human rights violations by China. In response, Lin Jian stated that these countries often turn a blind eye to injustices within their own borders, exposing their hypocrisy on human rights issues.

Lin Jian pointed out that Australia has long suffered from systemic racism and hate crimes, seriously violating the rights of refugees and immigrants, and that the living conditions of indigenous people are worrying. In addition, he mentioned the heinous crimes committed by Australian soldiers in military operations in Afghanistan and other countries. He urged Australia, the United States, and a few other Western countries to face up to and address their own serious human rights problems, stop politicizing human rights issues and using them as tools, and play a constructive role in international human rights cooperation.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, when asked about the matter while attending the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa, stated that Australia will always defend its own interests. Regarding relations with China, Australia will adhere to the principle of "cooperating where we can, disagreeing where we must, and engaging in a way that is in our national interest," and will consistently and clearly raise human rights issues with China.

In an assessment report released in 2022, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights pointed out that China has committed serious human rights violations against Uyghurs and other Muslim-majority ethnic minorities in Xinjiang. The report concluded that large-scale arbitrary and discriminatory detention may constitute international crimes, particularly crimes against humanity. In addition, UN human rights treaty bodies have also documented human rights abuses in Tibet, including the detention of people peacefully expressing political views and the separation of children from their families in boarding schools. The joint statement expressed concern about the human rights situation in Xinjiang and Tibet, as well as China's failure to implement UN recommendations. The statement emphasized that no country's human rights record is perfect, but no country is above impartial scrutiny of its human rights obligations. All countries have a responsibility to uphold international human rights commitments, as these commitments benefit everyone, and all countries should be held accountable.