US condemns China's 'baseless sanctions' against US officials over Xinjiang: Blinken

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken. Credit: AFP Photo

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned Saturday that China's tit-for-tat sanctions against two Americans in the growing dispute over Beijing's treatment of Uyghurs were "baseless" and would only bring more scrutiny over the "genocide" in Xinjiang.

"Beijing's attempts to intimidate and silence those speaking out for human rights and fundamental freedoms only contribute to the growing international scrutiny of the ongoing genocide and crimes against humanity in Xinjiang," Blinken said in a statement.