Q: On May 5th, New Zealand Parliament passed a motion put by the ACT Party, which raised concerns on the human rights condition in Xinjiang. What is your comment?
A: In total disregard of China's solemn position and despite of the truth and facts in Xinjiang,the New Zealand Parliament passed a Xinjiang-related motion, which made groundless accusation on China over human rights abuses. This move grossly interferes in China's internal affairs, and runs counter to international law and basic norms governing international relations. The Chinese side deplores and firmly opposes such action.
Xinjiang-related issues in essence are about countering violent terrorism, radicalization and separatism. They concern China's sovereignty, territorial integrity and national security. A few years ago, Xinjiang witnessed thousands of violent terrorist attacks, bringing sufferings to hundreds and thousands of innocent people. In this context, the Chinese government firmly cracked down on terrorism and took preventative counter-terrorism measures to achieve de-radicalization through education and vocational training. The Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region has been earnestly implementing the UN Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism, which is consistent with the principles and spirit of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy.
Thanks to the efforts of the local people of all ethnic groups, there has been no single terrorist attack for more than four years in a row in Xinjiang. The region now enjoys social stability and a sound development momentum, and the people are living a safe and happy life. All residents including Uyghurs in Xinjiang fully enjoy their human rights, including the right to subsistence and development. Languages, traditional cultures and customs of all ethnic minorities in Xinjiang have been well protected and inherited. These achievements in Xinjiang are widely recognized by the international community.
Xinjiang-related issues are purely China's domestic affairs where there's no place for foreign interfere. We are resolute in safeguarding China's sovereignty, security and development interests, as well as upholding Xinjiang's development, stability and ethnic solidarity. Using Xinjiang-related issue to pressure China will go nowhere but to harm the mutual trust between China and NZ. We urge the New Zealand side to respect truth and facts, stop the erroneous practices immediately and uphold China-New Zealand relations through concrete actions. We hope the NZ Parliament will do more to strengthen the friendship and cooperation between our two countries and people, not the other way around.