GENEVA: A Chinese envoy in Geneva categorically rejected certain Western countries’ accusations against China on Xinjiang-related issues.
Chen Xu, China’s permanent representative to the United Nations Office at Geneva, said at the ongoing 43rd session of the UN Human Rights Council that the Chinese government has received more than 1,000 diplomats, officials of international organizations, journalists and religious leaders who visited Xinjiang, and they all concluded that what they have seen in Xinjiang is quite the opposite of what is presented by some Western media.
Chen said China has taken a series of counterterrorism and de-radicalization measures, including establishing vocational education and training centers in Xinjiang.
“These measures have greatly improved the security situation in the region, protected the human rights of people from all ethnic groups and contributed in a significant way to international counterterrorism and de-radicalization efforts,” he said.
“No terrorist attack has occurred in Xinjiang for more than three years. Trainees of the de-radicalization program at vocational education and training centers have all graduated. With the help of the government, they have got stable jobs, reintegrated into society and are living a better life,” he added.
China is ready to invite more people to Xinjiang to see for themselves the economic, social and human rights progress there, the Chinese envoy said .
China is looking forward to the visit of United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Madam Michelle Bachelet to China, including to Xinjiang, this year and “we are working closely with her office in this regard,” Chen said.
– The Daily Mail-People’s Daily News exchange item
