Chinese Ambassador to India H.E. Sun Weidong:Stability and Ethnic Solidarity Best Response to Disinformation on Xinjiang
2019-12-05 00:51

On December 3, 2019, Chinese Ambassador to India H.E. Sun Weidong responded to the question regarding Xinjiang while attending the “Thematic Briefing on the Fourth Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China”. He pointed out that Chinese government protects the freedom of religious belief of all Chinese nationals, Xinjiang vocational education and training centers were set up to meet the urgent need for counter-terrorism and de-radicalization, and Xinjiang’s practice has demonstrated that combatting terrorism in accordance with law has effectively safeguarded the stability, ethnic solidarity and harmony in Xinjiang. On the same day, Ambassador Sun published the article entitled “Xinjiang: Stability and Ethnic Solidarity Best Response to Disinformation” in the Chinese Embassy magazine “China- India Review”. The full text of Ambassador Sun’s article is as follows:

Xinjiang: Stability and Ethnic Solidarity Best Response to Disinformation

Recently, some western media outlets or organizations have been hyping up the so-called "leaked documents" from Xinjiang and hence the work of vocational education and training in Xinjiang. Their vilification behaviors show clearly how they play double standards on counter-terrorism and de-radicalization issues and use Xinjiang-related issues to interfere in China's internal affairs.

Xinjiang affairs are purely China's domestic affairs. The issue Xinjiang faces is not about ethnicity, religion or human rights. Rather, it is about fighting violence, terrorism and separatism. Since 2015, China has released seven white papers on Xinjiang's counter-terrorism and de-radicalization efforts as well as vocational education and training work, which are clear and thorough statements of what happens in Xinjiang.

The vocational education and training centers in Xinjiang were set up in accordance with law, which are by no means “internment camps.” All legal rights of the trainees at the centers have been fully protected, and there is no restriction or deprivation with regard to their freedom. Without a single case of violent terrorist attacks for nearly three years, Xinjiang is witnessing rapid economic growth, social stability, ethnic unity and religious harmony. People's right to life, health and development and other basic rights have been effectively safeguarded. The government's measures have been endorsed by all ethnic groups.

Since the end of 2018, over one thousand foreign diplomats, international organization officials and media personnel from more than 90 countries and regions have visited vocational education and training centers. Many people expressed the view that Xinjiang's practice of setting up vocational education and training centers is in complete alignment with the U.N. policies on preemptively combatting terrorism and protecting primary human rights, which is commendable and worth learning by others.

The Chinese government protects the freedom of religious belief of all Chinese nationals, including Xinjiang Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities. There are nearly 200 million religious believers in China. Among them are more than 20 million Muslims and over 380 thousand clerics. There are approximately 5,500 religious groups and over 140,000 places of worship registered for religious activities. In Xinjiang, there are 24,400 mosques, which means there is a mosque for every 530 Muslims on average.

China is a country under the rule of law with full judicial procedures. The judicial organs in Xinjiang handle criminal suspects based on the specific nature and details of each case in accordance with law and regulations. The freedom of communication and privacy of Chinese citizens are protected according to law. Mass surveillance and communication restriction are not issues in Xinjiang.

Xinjiang’s practice has demonstrated that combatting terrorism in accordance with law has met people's eager expectation for security, and effectively safeguarded social harmony and stability, thus making people feel much more happier and safer. We will continue to implement our Xinjiang policy and ensure the region's sound development. The most powerful response to certain media and individuals is Xinjiang's lasting prosperity, stability, ethnic solidarity and social harmony.

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