U.S. imposes sanctions against China over abuse of Uyghurs

The U.S. Senate gave final approval Thursday to a bill barring all imports from China’s Xinjiang region unless businesses can prove they were produced without forced labor.

The vote, by unanimous consent, is the latest U.S. action aimed at punishing China for the mass detention and other rights abuses against the region’s predominantly Muslim Uyghur minority. The Biden administration announced new sanctions earlier in the day.

The bill now goes to President Joe Biden, who is expected to sign it.

The United States says China is committing genocide against the Uyghurs, forcing sterilizations and detaining them in large camps where they allegedly are compelled to work in factories. China denies any abuses.