Q: On September 1, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken issued a press statement on the report on the Human Rights Situation in Xinjiang by UN Office of the High Commissioner. Do you have any comment?

A: Without the mandate of the United Nations Human Rights Council, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) released the so-called “assessment” on Xinjiang,  which smears and slanders China, and interferes in China’s internal affairs. It seriously violates the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, and greatly undermines the credibility and impartiality of the OHCHR. The Chinese side has stated its stern position on this.

Of all people, the people in Xinjiang, whatever their ethnic backgrounds, are in the best position to tell the world what the human rights conditions are like in Xinjiang. In recent years, Xinjiang has enjoyed sustained economic growth, social harmony and stability, better living standards, cultures thriving like never before, and freedom of religious beliefs and religious harmony. The development and prosperity of Xinjiang is the greatest human rights achievement.  

This so-called assessment is orchestrated and produced by the US and some Western forces and is completely illegal, null and void. It is a patchwork of disinformation that serves as a political tool for the US and some Western forces to strategically use Xinjiang to contain China. The US and some Western countries can by no means represent the international community. 

As soon as the report was released, the US rushed to issue a statement to “welcome” the report, which clearly showed its intention to stir up chaos in Xinjiang. China firmly opposes US interference in China's internal affairs through Xinjiang-related issues. What the US should really focus on is its own human rights abuses.

The rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is not to be stopped. We urge the US not to underestimate the determination of the Chinese government and people to maintain long-term peace and stability in Xinjiang, and to give up the illusion of "using Xinjiang to contain China".