Daily Times

Xinjiang-related issues are not about human rights, ethnicity or religion, but about fighting violence, terrorism and separatism, Tang Tianru, a leading Chinese entrepreneur based in Islamabad, has said.

Speaking at a news conference here, she said the US House of Representatives passed the controversial Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act of 2019 which is an interference in China’s internal matters. “This bill deliberately smears the human rights situation in Xinjiang, slanders China’s efforts for de-radicalization and counter-terrorism and viciously attacks the Chinese government’s Xinjiang policy. It seriously violates international law and basic norms governing international relations, and grossly interferes in China’s internal affairs. China is strongly indignant at and firmly opposed to it,” she said.

She said the international community speaks highly of China’s Xinjiang policy. “Since the end of 2018, over 1,000 representatives have visited Xinjiang in more than 70 groups, including officials from various countries, regions and international organizations, and people from the press, religious groups and the academic circle,” she said. “In March this year, the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation adopted a resolution which commended China’s efforts in providing care to Muslim citizens. In July, ambassadors of over 50 countries to the UN Office at Geneva co-signed a letter to the president of the UN Human Rights Council and the High Commissioner for Human Rights, applauding China’s respect and protection of human rights in its counter-terrorism and de-radicalization efforts. In October, at the Third Committee Session of the 74th UNGA, more than 60 countries commended in their statements the tremendous human rights progress achieved in Xinjiang, China,” she elaborated. The Chinese entrepreneur said Beijing government and people are determined to safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests. “Under the pretext of Xinjiang-related issues, the US attempts to sow discord among various ethnic groups in China, undermine prosperity and stability in Xinjiang, and contain China’s growth. But its attempt will never succeed. We urge the US to correct its mistakes at once, prevent this bill from becoming law, and stop using Xinjiang-related issues to interfere China’s internal affairs. China will take further reactions according to how the situation develops,” she said.