Pompeo's Xinjiang-related words full of bias, lies: MFA
By Xu Zheqi
People's Daily app
1574855618000

The clichés of a certain US politician are full of political bias and lies, showing clearly how he plays double standards on counter-terrorism and de-radicalization issues, and how vicious his intentions are when using Xinjiang-related issues to interfere in China's internal affairs, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Wednesday.

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Photo: fmprc.gov.cn

Geng Shuang made the remarks in response to US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's recent Xinjiang-related words, stressing that there are no so-called "issues" related to ethnicity, religion or human rights in Xinjiang.

The local government's measures are efforts in counter-terrorism and de-radicalization. From 1990 to 2016, thousands of violent and terrorist incidents occurred in Xinjiang, which caused heavy casualties and property damage. Under such circumstances, Xinjiang lawfully fought violent and terrorist crimes while addressing the root causes, and it hasn't seen a single violent, terrorist incident over the past three years.

"The region now enjoys stability and ethnic solidarity, and its people live a happy life," Geng said. "Is it certain people's belief that residents in Xinjiang should oppose our positive measures and live in the shadows of extremism, violence and terrorism instead?"

Geng stressed that the Chinese government protects the freedom of religious belief of all Chinese nationals, including Xinjiang Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities. 

There are nearly 200 million religious believers in China. Among them are more than 20 million Muslims and over 380,000 clerics. There are approximately 5,500 religious groups and over 140,000 places of worship registered for religious activities.

"Those are all facts that you can find in the seven white papers on Xinjiang published since 2015," Geng said, adding that what some people in the US lack is not the means to get the correct information, but the courage and conscience to admit the truth.

"China welcomes foreigners with an objective and fair mind to Xinjiang." Geng added.

He also pointed out that Xinjiang affairs are China's internal affairs that allow no foreign interference under the pretext of access to Xinjiang or other Xinjiang-related issues.

China will continue to handle its domestic affairs well, and to implement Xinjiang policy and ensure the region's sound development. The most powerful response to slander and vilification is Xinjiang's lasting prosperity, stability, ethnic solidarity and social harmony.