On March 22, 2021, the European Union (EU) imposed unilateral sanctions on relevant Chinese individuals and entities. On March 23, a press conference on Xinjiang-related issues was held in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region to castigate and refute this matter. Xu Guixiang and Elijan Anayat,the spokespersons of the Information Office of People’s Government of XUAR attended. The records of the press conference are as follows.

Xu Guixiang: On March 22, the European Union (EU) imposed unilateral sanctions on relevant Chinese individuals and entity, citing the so-called human rights issues in Xinjiang which is based on nothing but lies and disinformation. This move, disregards and distorts fact, flagrantly breaches international law and basic norms governing international relations, grossly interferes in China’s internal affairs, and severely hurts feelings of people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang. Today, we hold press conference on Xinjiang-related issues here, to express our firm opposition and strong condemnation to the EU irrational sanction. Next, I’d like to invite Elijan Anayat, Spokesman of Information Office of the People’s Government of XUAR to present Xinjiang’s stance and attitude.

Elijan Anayat: What the EU states that the so called violation of human rights of Uygurs and other Muslim ethnic minorities from relevant individuals and entities, is complete political nonsense and obvious insult, which fully expose the despicable action and malicious intention of some EU politicians on destroying the steady development of Xinjiang and interfering in China’s internal affairs. Their sanction is a piece of wasted paper! Their action has raised the indignation of Chinese people including the people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang, and will be cast aside by the most members of international community.

The accusation charged by some people and media from the EU that Xinijiang implements “genocide”, is the complete century lie. Xinjiang fully carries out CPC’s ethnic policy, firmly implements the system of regional ethnic autonomy, industriously promotes the united efforts and solidarity as well as the common prosperity and development of people of all ethnic groups. According to data, during 2010-2018, Xinjiang’s permanent residents increased by 3.0518 million(13.99%) from 21.8158 million to 24.8676 million. Among that, ethnic minorities population increased by 2.8749 million (22.14%) from 12.9859 million to 15.8608 million; Uygur population was up 2.5469 million (25.04%)from 10.1715 million to 12.7184 million; Han population rose by 0.1769 million (2%) from 8.8299 million to 9.0068 million. Uygur’s population growth rate was not only higher than Xinjiang’s population growth rate, but also higher than that of ethnic minorities and even higher than Han’s. Is there any form of “genocide” along with huge population rise in the world?

The EU’s accusation of Xinjiang “restricts religious freedom” is the total disinformation. Xinjiang fully implements the Party’s policies on freedom of religious belief and lawfully protects and guarantees normal religious activities and religious needs of religious believers. All religious activities of Muslims either performed in mosques or at home are all up to the person himself or herself to decide and are protected by law. In recent years, the conditions of venues for religious activities have been constantly improved in Xinjiang. Mosques in Xinjiang have been equipped with water, electricity, natural gas, radio and television facilities. other facilities newly installed or added to mosques include medical services, LED screens, computers, electric fans or air conditioners, fire-fighting equipment, clean drinking water facilities. Ablution equipments and flushing toilets have been installed in Juma mosques. All of these offer great convenience for religious believers. Currently, there are 10 religious schools in Xinjiang including Xinjiang Islamic Institute and its eight branch institutes, and Xinjiang Islamic Scripture School, which recruit about 1,000 students every year with a complete Islam talents training system. Religious classics and books have been translated and published, including the Koran and Selections of al-Bukhari, in languages of mandarin, Uygur, Kazakh and Kirgiz. Religious believers’ way of acquiring religious knowledge has been constantly broadened with the healthy and orderly inheritance of Islam in Xinjiang.

The EU’s accusation of Xinjiang has carried out “large scale of detention” is a sheer fabrication. For some time in the past, “three forces” (the separatist, terrorist and extremist) in and outside China have plotted and carried out thousands of violent and terrorist attacks, killing large numbers of innocent people causing immeasurable damage to property. In face of the severe and complex situation as well as the urgent needs of people of all ethnic groups in fighting violent and terrorist crimes to protect their lives and property, Xinjinag holds up high the rule of law flag, absorbing in experience of counter terrorism from international communities, be active in implementing the United Nations Global Counterterrorism Strategy and the United Nations Action Plan to Prevent Extremism. Addressing both the symptoms and root causes and integrating preventative measures and a forceful response, Xinjiang has established vocational education and training centers in accordance with the law to prevent the breeding and spread of terrorism and religious extremism to the largest extent, effectively curbing the frequent terrorist incidents and protecting the basic rights of people of all ethnic groups. The vocational education and training centers in Xinjiang were no different in essence from the “community corrections” enforced in the US, the DDP in the UK, and the deradicalization centers in France, all being conducive attempt and proactive exploration for preventive counter terrorism and deradicalization. In the implementation of vocational education and training, Xinjiang fully guarantees trainees’ personal freedom and correspondence freedom as well as their right to use ethnic language in accordance with law. All the trainees ethnic manners and religious beliefs are fully respected and protected. In October, 2019, all the trainees receiving the education and training on the standard Chinese, laws, vocational skills and deradicalization at the centers had graduated and most of them realized stable employment under assistance of the government. They have improved their living standards and are living a normal life.

The EU’s accusation of there exists “cultural genocide” in Xinjiang is ridicule in logic. Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has formulated serious of local regulations according to the Constitution of China and laws to guarantee language and culture rights of all ethnic groups. The formulation of Regulations on Language and Writing Work in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has fully guaranteed the freedoms of people of all ethnic groups using and developing their speaking and written languages. The formulated Regulations on Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and Regulations on Art of Uygur Twelve Muqam Protection have forcefully promoted the inheritance and development of cultural and artistic treasures of all ethnic groups. So far, Uygur Muqam and Kirgiz epic Manas were registered on the “UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity”; other 83 items of national-level and 315 items of region-level intangible cultural heritages have been listed in the directories.

The EU’s accusation of there exists “forced labor” in Xinjiang is entirely invented. Xinjiang by all means adheres to the spirit of the Constitution of the International Labor Organization and related conventions, and strictly abides by laws and regulations including the Labor Law of the People’s Republic of China, Opinions on the Implementation of the Labor Law of the People’s Republic of China in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Provisions on the Implementation of Regulation on Labor Security Supervision in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, legalizing the establishment, operation, supervision, mediation and settlement of labor relations to protect laborers’ lawful rights and interests. The following actions are strictly forbidden and will lead to administrative punishments: forcing a person to work by means of violence, threat, or illegal limitation of personal freedom. Laborers of all ethnic groups sign labor contracts with companies according to Labor Law of People’s Republic of China and other regulations, and choose jobs out of their own will and the agreed terms and conditions according to laws and regulations. They get payment and enjoy freedom on choosing where to work. Laborers’ rights to remuneration, rest and vacations, labor security and health protection, and social security benefits are legally guaranteed by law. Their customs, languages and cultures, religions and beliefs are fully respected and protected by law no matter where they work, in or outside Xinjiang. There doesn’t exist the issue of “forced” at all.

The human rights situation in some countries of the EU, in contrast, is full of stunning stains, which qualifies as the real culprit of “genocide”. As everyone knows, European colonists had plundered wealth, sources, and labors from many other countries in the world since the golden age of of sail, and attempted to eliminate them both mentally and physically by forcing locals to transfer religious beliefs and life style. European colonists crazily expelled and slaughtered local Indians when they invaded the American Continent. Then slave trading led to large amount of Africans died. They are in too much debt of blood not only in America but also in Africa and Asia. The German colonists went on their killing spree to suppress the rebellion of Namibia from 1904, slaughtering more than 100000 local residents till 1908, causing 3/4 population of the Herero and over half of the Namaqua died under the bleeding knives of German army. During World War Two, nearly six million Jews had been massacred by extensive and prepense ways of German Nazis. Some EU countries’ stigmatizing Xinjiang “human rights issues” in spite of their instigation of war, which caused countless chaos and turmoils, leading to tremendous human tragedies, and leaving innumerable historical stains, all of which represents their effrontery.

Xu Guixiang: We’ve invited the EU envoy to China to visit Xinjiang for many times, but they procrastinated and postponed the schedule with many reasons, even made unreasonable demands. It can be told for sure that they are afraid of facing real Xinjiang, they are fear of lies being exposed by prosperity of Xinjiang with social stability as well as people living and working in peace and contentment. The Chinese side decides to sanction ten individuals and four entities on the EU side that severely farm China’s sovereignty and interests and maliciously spread lies and disinformation. Twenty five million people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang express strong preference for the Chinese side, we firmly support it and promise to fight against the EU anti-China forces to the end!

Some politicians from America, Britain, and Canada echo EU of its sanction on Xinjiang issues, taking “human rights issues” as an excuse to announce unilateral sanction on relevant individuals and entity in Xinjiang. They care nothing about “human rights” or truths but to interfere in China’s domestic affairs and curb the development of China in guise of “human rights”. They want to be “mentor” in the field of human rights, but they don’t deserve the title. They really should introspect for their despicable misdeeds on human rights issues, and don’t ever forced on China of their committed crimes and sins.

Facts speak louder than words, truth cannot be sullied. The fact of the development and promotion of Xinjiang’s human rights career speaks for itself in the world. What the US, Britain and EU did has raised the indignation of Chinese people include people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang, and will be cast aside by all members of international community. In the on-going 46th United Nations Human Rights Council, there have been 64 countries supporting China’s stance in Xinjiang-related issues, which fully illustrates the fact that one stands with justice will finally win popularity. All the conspires that attempt to destroy the prosperity, stability and development in Xinjiang will end in vain.