China dismisses Pope Francis’s comments about persecution of Uighurs

Beijing has dismissed Pope Francis’s criticisms of its treatment of China’s Muslim Uighur minority in Xinjiang.

It came after the head of the Roman Catholic Church joined a growing group of international voices, describing the Uighurs as persecuted in a new book.

It is believed that the Chinese government has detained up to a million Uighurs in what the state defines as re-education camps.

China’s foreign ministry said the pope’s remarks were groundless.