Xinjiang-related bill distorts facts, anti-terror official says

The so-called "Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act of 2019", passed by the US House of Representatives, disregards the facts and is made of distortion and fabrication, said Liu Yuejin, head of China's national anti-terrorism leading group office.

Liu said the US viciously smeared and criticized the Chinese government's Xinjiang policies, counter-terrorism efforts and the human rights situation in Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, which fully exposed the US's double standards and the purpose of gross interference in China's internal affairs.

"We express strong indignation and firm opposition to this," he added.

According to Liu, terrorist attacks occurred frequently in Xinjiang from the 1990s to the beginning of this decade which greatly jeopardized the safety of life and property of all ethnic groups and seriously trampled on people's basic dignity.

For a period of time, "East Turkistan" terrorist forces planned, organized and operated separatist and terrorist activities and launched thousands of terrorist attacks in Xinjiang, killing a large amount of innocent people and hundreds of policemen, Liu said, adding that the loss of property could not even be estimated.

Faced with the threats, Chinese government has taken decisive measures to carry out anti-terrorism and de-extremization work in accordance with the law. Such efforts effectively curbed the frequent occurrence of terrorist activities, protected people's basic human rights and gained wide support from all ethnic groups in Xinjiang as well as international community for the contribution to the international counter-terrorism campaign.

There has been no case of violent terrorism in Xinjiang for three consecutive years, Liu said, adding that the society at present is harmonious and stable, the economy is developing steadily, and the livelihood and sense of well-being and security of all ethnic groups have greatly improved.

Liu said since China is a country ruled by law, it has always adhered to rule of law and protecting human rights while combating terrorism and opposed linking terrorism and extremism with specific countries, ethnic group or religion. Through help and teaching, China has managed to unite and educate people to the greatest extent to prevent them from becoming the victims of terrorism.

"There is no such thing as 'violating the human rights of ethnic minorities' that the US claims," he added.

Liu said terrorism and extremism are global problems and Xinjiang's setting up of vocational training centers is an active practice of counter-terrorism and a response to the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy.

"The US slandering these training centers is nothing more than an attempt to interfere in China's internal affairs and curb China's development under the pretext of 'religion' and 'human rights'," he added.