Sultan M Hali
CHINESE Foreign Office made a bold move, when it invited 20 Arab and African Union envoys accredited to Beijing to visit China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. Facing a barrage of accusations of maltreatment of the ethnic Uyghur Muslims, left no choice for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs but to ask the Muslim envoys to ascertain the truth for themselves. The visiting diplomats, whose tour to the western region of China lasted from October 19 to 22, spoke positively of achievements in the economic, social and human rights development in the province. The delegation met with Shohrat Zakir, Chairman of Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region and also visited local enterprises, schools, poverty alleviation projects and grass-roots communities.
The visiting dignitaries were invited to the households to talk face-to-face with villagers, gaining a deep understanding of the situation in Xinjiang in such aspects as social stability, ethnic equality and unity, improvement of people’s livelihood and economic development. The delegation also went to Islamic institutes and mosques to learn about the situation on protection of freedom of religious belief. Following the detailed visit, the envoys declared in unison that “what’s been said about human rights in China and Xinjiang by some external parties are nothing but baseless lies.” They said that Xinjiang’s experience in combating terrorism and radicalization is worth learning from and they stand ready to contribute to strengthening practical cooperation between Arab states and Xinjiang. China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Zhao Lijian, when asked to comment, stated that seeing is believing. He declared that justice resides in people’s hearts and the Chinese side welcomes friends from all countries, including Arab and Islamic states, to visit Xinjiang and tell the world faithfully what a fantastic place it is. He added that Xinjiang’s achievements in economic and social development and poverty alleviation are there for all to see. National unity and harmony and human rights progress are distinctly visible while the level of progress is a testimony to the positive results of the effects of China’s counter-terrorism and deradicalization efforts.
At the regular briefing for the media by the Chinese Foreign Office, Lijian was asked to comment on a report by Adrian Zenz, published by the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation. Adrian Zenz claims that between 2015 and 2019, many Muslim Uyghur children in one county in Xinjiang had one or both parents detained. Zhao Lijian responded that this so-called “Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation” is a far-right organization supported by the US government. Since its establishment in 1983, this foundation has repeatedly ignored objective facts, made anti-China remarks, and denigrated China’s policy on Xinjiang. Its so-called report is nothing more than a re-enactment of its anti-China farce. As for Adrian Zenz, he is nothing more than a notorious anti-China henchman employed by the US government. China hopes and believes that the international community can distinguish right from wrong and not be deceived by the swindler.
Responding to a second question regarding a cover story in “The Economist” magazine, which said China’s persecution of the Uyghurs was a crime against humanity. Zhao Lijian stated that the so-called “persecution” of Muslims and “crimes against humanity” in Xinjiang are deliberately fanned up by some anti-China forces to smear, attack and suppress China.
Labels like “crimes against humanity” should never be pinned on China. Xinjiang affairs are purely China’s internal affairs, and any attempt to interfere in China’s internal affairs through Xinjiang-related issues will not succeed. The spokesperson reiterated that Xinjiang-related issues are never about human rights, ethnicity or religion, but about combating violent terrorism and secession. The preventive counter-terrorism and de-radicalization measures taken in Xinjiang have effectively curbed the frequent occurrence of terrorist activities, so that the life safety of people of all ethnic groups is guaranteed, and greater progress has been made in local economy and living standards. This is to protect to the greatest extent the basic human rights of people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang.
The learned Chinese Foreign Office Spokesperson, who has served distinctively in Pakistan for many years, shared detailed data to support his viewpoint. He informed that the cause of human rights in Xinjiang continues to advance, and people of all ethnic groups enjoy full basic rights such as the rights to survival and development, and so on. Over the past 40 years, the Uyghur population in Xinjiang has more than doubled from 5.55 million to more than 12 million. From 2014 to 2019, the gross domestic product (GDP) in Xinjiang grew at an average annual rate of 7.2%, the per capita disposable income of Xinjiang residents grew at an average annual rate of 9.1%, and the incidence of poverty fell from 19.4% to 1.24%. At the recent General Debate of the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly, 48 countries issued a joint statement to firmly support China’s counter-terrorism and de-radicalization measures in Xinjiang and firmly oppose the politicization of human rights issues and the practice of double standards.
This scribe too has visited Xinjiang on numerous occasions and travelled freely in various counties in China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. As a practicing Muslim and first hand witness, this scribe can vouch that the ethnic Uyghur Muslims of Xinjiang were indeed downtrodden at one time. Their deprivation was exploited by China’s detractors to commit acts of violence. Since the sources of deprivation have been addressed, the Uyghur Muslims are now leading peaceful contented life, contrary to western propaganda.
—The writer is retired PAF Group Captain and a TV talk show host.
