For some time, some U.S. politicians have repeatedly spread rumors about issues related to
northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region to create trouble for China under the guise
of upholding human rights.
Recently, the U.S. signed the so-called “Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act” into law,
continuing to maliciously confuse right and wrong and defame the human rights situation in
Xinjiang in total disregard of facts.
The move constitutes a flagrant provocation against the basic conscience and justice of humanity
and gross interference in the internal affairs of China, and has seriously violated international law
and the basic norms governing international relations. China is indignant at and strongly opposed
to it.
Relevant actions of the U.S. have nothing to do with human rights, but are completely political
manipulation and economic bullying. By imposing sanctions upon enterprises in Xinjiang, the
U.S. vainly attempts to cause “forced unemployment” and “forced poverty” for the region, drag
people of various ethnic groups in Xinjiang into poverty, seclusion and backwardness, and
eventually destabilize the region and impede China’s development.
Such misdeeds that violate market rules and business ethics will only sabotage the stability of
global industrial and supply chains, disrupt international trade order, and damage the interests and
credibility of the U.S. itself.
The essence of Xinjiang-related issues is the issue of countering violence and terrorism, de-
radicalization, and anti-separatism. The so-called allegations of “genocide” and “forced labor” in
Xinjiang are nothing but vicious lies concocted by anti-China forces in the West, including the
U.S.
At the 48th session of the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council, nearly 100 countries
voiced their support for China’s position regarding Xinjiang in various ways, including releasing
joint statement, making separate speeches, and sending joint letter, stressing that Xinjiang-related
issues are purely China’s internal affairs that should not be interfered in by any other country and
expressing opposition to interference in China’s internal affairs under the pretext of human rights.
These sonorous and forceful voices of justice have proven again that justice naturally inhabits
people’s hearts.
The absurd accusations made by the U.S. against Xinjiang are clearly scotched by the fact that
people of various ethnic groups in the region are enjoying unity, harmony, common progress, and
happy lives.
At present, Xinjiang is in an optimal period for development in its history. People of all ethnic
groups in the region are closely united as family members, just like pomegranate seeds that stick
together, and working together to create a better and happier life.
Every family living in the vast areas both north and south of the Tianshan Mountains in Xinjiang
has stable livelihood and steady monthly income. Meanwhile, the income of people of various
ethnic groups in Xinjiang has increased continuously, their living standards have been improved
with each passing day, and their sense of gain, happiness, and security has been significantly
enhanced.
Just like what international personages who have visited Xinjiang and witnessed the region’s
development said, people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang are equal and united, and they jointly
develop and build the region and share a happy life; the traditional cultures of all ethnic groups in
Xinjiang are rich and splendid, and the local people’s freedom of religious belief is protected and
respected; and Xinjiang’s human rights development and progress are obvious to all.
No human right is more important than the right to a happy life, and employment is pivotal to
people’s wellbeing.
In recent years, Xinjiang’s policy system that protects people’s employment and labor rights has
been further improved, while the region’s scale of employment has expanded constantly. Besides,
the region’s employment structure is continuously optimized, and its workforce quality has
witnessed a significant increase.
From 2014 to 2020, the total employed population in Xinjiang grew from about 11.35 million to
13.56 million, up by 19.4 percent.
While vigorously boosting local employment, Xinjiang safeguarded people’s legitimate rights and
interests strictly according to law, such as workers’ equal right to employment, right to
remuneration for labor, right to social insurance and welfare, right to rest and holiday, and right to
occupational safety, constantly strengthening the protection of the rights and interests of workers.
The accusation of “forced labor” in Xinjiang has no credibility at all, said Zamir Ahmed Awan,
deputy director of the Center for Chinese Studies, National University of Sciences and Technology
(NUST) in Pakistan.
Xinjiang has well-established employment policies, said Awan, who has visited Xinjiang many
times.
Acting as human rights “preacher” and “judge”, some people in the U.S. always make
irresponsible remarks on the human rights situation of other countries in a condescending manner.
Ironically, it is the U.S. that is a habitual criminal repeatedly committing the crime of forced labor.
Its several hundred years of trafficking, abusing and discriminating against black slaves has made
forced labor an indelible stain on its history of pursuing prosperity. Even to this day, there are still
about 500,000 children working in the agricultural sector in the U.S., and between 240,000 and
325,000 women and children are victims of sexual slavery in the country.
During the past five years, up to 100,000 people were trafficked into the U.S. for forced labor
annually.
By falsely accusing China of the crimes and evil deeds the U.S. itself has committed, the U.S. is
gauging the heart of a gentleman with its own mean measure out of ulterior motives.
Xinjiang-related issues are purely China’s internal affairs that brook no external interference. No
matter how hard the U.S. tries to cook up lies about and stir up trouble in Xinjiang, it can never
stop the resolute steps of people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang toward a better life or hinder
China’s firm strides along its development path.
The Chinese government and people have unswerving determination to safeguard China’s national
sovereignty, security and development interests. The U.S. side must correct its mistakes
immediately and stop spreading rumors about Xinjiang, otherwise it will eventually pay dearly for
its arrogance.
