Australia issued a joint statement with 14 other countries at UN urging China to uphold human rights in Xinjiang and Tibet

Strong rebukes from several Chinese government officials quickly followed Australia, the US and 13 other countries criticising China at the UN on Tuesday over alleged human rights abuses in Xinjiang and Tibet.

China’s foreign ministry’s sharp criticism comes after Australia’s UN ambassador called out China’s treatment of minority Uyghurs.

China has accused Australia of being "plagued by systemic racism and hate crimes" in retaliation to concerns raised about human rights abuses in Xinjiang and Tibet. Australia's Ambassador to the United Nations James Larsen shared a joint statement with 14 other countries this week to urge China to uphold its international human rights obligations following findings of serious human rights violations.