(CNN) China's ambassador to the US, Cui Tiankai, has threatened retaliation against the United States if the Trump administration goes ahead with with possible sanctions against Beijing over human rights abuses in Xinjiang.

At least one million Muslim majority Uyghur have been imprisoned in enormous "re-education centers" in the far western Chinese province of Xinjiang, according to a report to the US Congress.

The Trump administration has been increasingly vocal on the plight of the Uyghurs and a bipartisan group of US lawmakers has called for sanctions to be placed on Beijing over its treatment of the minority group.

But speaking to Reuters Tuesday, Cui claimed the Chinese government was trying to "re-educate" terrorists and complained that Beijing was being held to a double standard.

"Can you imagine (if) some American officials in charge of the fight against ISIS would be sanctioned?" Cui said.