Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying has cast doubt over the veracity of the claims of BBC reporter John Sudworth for leaving the Chinese mainland, saying his "guilty conscience" was behind his surprise departure. Hua, during a regular press conference on Thursday, said had Sudworth really felt worried about his safety he could have turned to Chinese authorities. She added that if the journalist "knew for sure he hadn't produced any fake news or rumors" on Xinjiang, he would have not worried about any legal action against him.