China strongly condemned and firmly opposed sanctions imposed by the UK on Chinese individuals and entities on the pretext of human rights, based on lies and false information, Yang Xiaoguang, charge d'affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Britain, said on Monday.

Yang made the remarks in live interviews with several British media, in which he took the opportunity to state China's positions on issues related to EU and UK's sanctions over alleged human rights issues in Xinjiang.

The sanctions seriously violated international law and basic norms of international relations and grossly interfered in China's internal affairs, Yang said, noting that China reserves the right to take countermeasures to safeguard its interests and dignity.