The State Department won’t directly say whether it believes the Chinese government is currently committing genocide against the Uyghurs, condemning allegations of oppression against the Muslim ethnic group and other religious minorities but insisting upon calling it a genocide only in the past tense.

Biden officials contend a genocide “was” occurring and say the administration is “unaware” of the “atrocities” ceasing, but on Tuesday, they repeatedly dodged the specific question of whether there is a continued genocide in Xinjiang. Secretary of State Antony Blinken acknowledged China had committed genocide in sworn testimony as a nominee for the top diplomat role, but it remains stubbornly unclear whether the Biden administration will take that stance about the present situation in the western province.