Scholars Rally to Defend Colleagues Sanctioned by Beijing

WASHINGTON - Hundreds of academics and intellectuals around the world are signing onto a joint statement in support of European colleagues who have been banned by Beijing from visiting China and hit with other sanctions because of their work.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry announced the sanctions last week against the Mercator Institute for China Studies in Germany, the Alliance of Democracies Foundation in Denmark and other individuals and institutions, accusing them of actions that “severely harm China's sovereignty and interests and maliciously spread lies and disinformation.” In announcing the move, the ministry made clear it was reacting to sanctions announced earlier this month by Britain and the European Union over China’s treatment of the Uyghur minority in its western Xinjiang region. Now, scholars across the United States, Europe and Asia are adding their names to a fast-growing list of signatories to a statement of solidarity with their sanctioned colleagues.