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| Trump's administration has put in place a series of sanctions on Beijing for alleged human rights abuses against Uyghurs, such as visa restrictions on Chinese officials, heightening bilateral tensions. (Photo courtesy of Meiji University Research Institute for Contemporary China / Kyodo) |
[Asia News Communication = Reporter Reakkana] Japan provided intelligence to the United States and Britain last year showing evidence of China's forceful detainment of Muslim Uyghur minority people on condition of keeping the source confidential, a person close to Japan-U.S. relations said Monday.
Based on the information, the United States stepped up criticism against China's alleged crackdown on Uyghurs in the Xinjiang autonomous region, the source said. The move shows Japan has already been sharing key intelligence with partners behind the scenes amid calls within the government to join the "Five Eyes" intelligence-sharing alliance to better respond to increasing threats by North Korea and China. The network involves the five nations of Australia, Britain, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States.
Japan seeks to maintain friendly ties with China as its largest trading partner without hurting relations with its security ally the United States. Given that Tokyo's relations with Beijing had been improving, it was preparing for Chinese President Xi Jinping's first visit as a state guest in spring 2020, although the planned visit was later postponed due to the global coronavirus pandemic. China has termed the Western counties' criticisms as interference in its internal affairs.
