I took questions on #Xinjiang at online press conference and debunked the lies permeating Western media. They are “the lies of the century” and have been used to discredit China＆interfere in China’s internal affairs. I want to let facts be known & show the real Xinjiang.
First, Xinjiang-related issues have nothing to do with human rights, ethnic groups or religions, but everything to do with fighting violent terrorism, separatism＆extremism. Since 1990s, violent attacks have caused devastating casualties of innocent people＆huge loss of property.
Anti-terrorism and de-radicalisation measures have been very effective: there has not been a single terrorist attack for 3+ years in a row in Xinjiang, and the basic rights of all ethnic groups, especially the rights to life, health and development, are fully safeguarded.
These measures have also been an important contribution to the global fight against terrorism, and thus won positive response from the international community. They spoke highly of the counter-terrorism and de-radicalisation measures in Xinjiang.
The video shows the harm caused by terrorist, separatist and extremist attacks in Xinjiang, so that people will understand why the measures taken in Xinjiang against terrorism, separatism and extremism are necessary and important.
Second, there are many rumours＆lies about the vocational education＆training centres in Xinjiang, calling them “concentration camps” or “re-education camps”. The truth is they are none of these. They are useful＆positive explorations of preventative＆de-radicalisation measures.
The centres were established to address the root causes for extremism and prevent further escalation of violent terrorist activities. They are in line with the principles and the spirit embodied in a number of international documents on counter-terrorism.
In nature, these centres are no different from the Desistance and Disengagement Programme (DDP) of the UK, the community corrections in the United States, or the de-radicalisation centres in France.
Such education and training will strengthen trainees’ ability to break away and stay away from extremist ideas and master vocational skills, and help them to not only become law-abiding citizens but also find stable jobs, earn their own living and live a better life.
At the centres, the Constitutional＆legal principles on respecting＆safeguarding human rights are strictly followed. The right of trainees to use languages of ethnic groups, customs＆habits of different ethnic groups＆freedom of religious belief are fully respected and protected.
The video shows the trainees of the vocational education and training centres tell the stories of their life in the centres.
Third, 4 lies＆slanders widely spread in Western media. It’s wrong to allow them to run amok,or to let arrogance＆prejudice prevent people from seeing facts＆truth. It’s important to get facts＆truth out there, people could make up minds from an objective＆reasonable perspective.
The first lie is that “nearly a million Uygurs in Xinjiang are detained”. This is a lie cooked up by an anti-China organization “Chinese Human Rights Defenders (CHRD)” and an anti-China individual called Adrian Zenz, both backed and funded by the government of United States.
The video displayed in my interview on BBC’s Andrew Marr Show shows transfer of a group of prisoners by the Kashgar Detention House. It has nothing to do with the so-called “detainment of a large number of Uygurs”.
The second lie is that “Xinjiang has demolished many mosques”. The fact is, there are 24,400 mosques in Xinjiang,on average one mosque for every 530 Muslims. This ratio is higher than that in many Muslim countries＆much higher than the number of churches per Christian in England.
Jiami Mosque of Yecheng county＆Id Kah Mosque in Hotan prefecture, which western media claimed “dismantled”,were in fact renovated＆put to use again. Those who cooked up lies used photo of old, dilapidated mosques. But I will refute lies with photos of the new, renovated mosques.
The third lie is that “forced sterilization is carried out in Xinjiang”. The fact is, Chinese Government protects the lawful rights and interests of people of all ethnic groups. Between 1978 and 2018, the Uygur population in Xinjiang doubled, from 5.55 million to 11.68 million.
These self-claimed “victims” are either the so-called “East Turkistan” elements engaged in anti-China and separatist activities, or “actors” trained by anti-China forces in the US and other Western countries to spread rumours about China. Their claims have no factual ground.
In the video played in Andrew Marr Show, Zumrat Dawut claimed she went through “forced sterilization”. But her sister and brother publicly refuted her lies. It turns out she has never been to any vocational centre and has never been “forced to get sterilized”.
The fourth lie is “mass forced labour is taking place in Xinjiang”. The hidden hand of this lie is US-funded Australian Strategic Policy Institute （ASPI））. Its absurd report was used as “evidence” by US Congressional-Executive Commission （CECC））on China to slander China.
This video, showing people finding jobs in central and eastern China or close at home, will lay bare the lies of ASPI and CECC.
One does not know how vast＆beautiful China is until one visits Xinjiang. Now is the best time in history for Xinjiang to achieve development. Rumours will not write off China’s progress in human rights, attempts to disrupt Xinjiang’s development＆prosperity will never succeed.
We urge UK Government to view progress＆achievements in Xinjiang from a comprehensive＆objective perspective,stop making irresponsible remarks on Xinjiang,＆stop using Xinjiang to interfere in China’s internal affairs. We hope UK media will report in an objective and fair manner.
