They said in a statement that they “unreservedly condemn the recent announcement by the Government of the People’s Republic of China of sanctions against lawyers for providing legal advice on the human rights violations in the Xinjiang region of China”.

The statement adds: “The actions of the Chinese Government constitute an attack upon the rule of law and the independence of the legal profession, and should be rescinded immediately.”

Their comments follow similar ones from the four professional bodies of barristers and advocates of the UK and Ireland late last month.

They said that Chinese sanctions “call into question its commitment to the rule of law, as well as its status and reputation as a reliable partner in international trade and commerce”.