China rejects G-7 criticism on human rights

China’s government has rejected criticism of its human rights and economic record by foreign ministers of the Group of Seven major economies and accused them of meddling in its affairs

BEIJING -- China’s government on Thursday rejected criticism of its human rights and economic record by foreign ministers of the Group of Seven major economies and accused them of meddling in its affairs. A statement Wednesday by G-7 diplomats in London “made groundless accusations” against China, said a Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Wang Wenbin. He accused them of “blatantly meddling” in China’s affairs. “China strongly condemns it,” Wang said at a press briefing. Wednesday’s statement added to diplomatic pressure on Beijing over its treatment of Uyghur and other minorities and reports of mass detentions, forced labor and forced sterilization.