Recently, the US and other Western countries have taken the so-called Assessment of Human Rights Concerns in Xinjiang issued by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to smear and stigmatize the human rights conditions in Xinjiang, China. It seems that with the endorsement of this illegal document, which is not authorized by the Human Rights Council, their lies can cover up the truth. However, it is the people in Xinjiang, whatever their ethnic backgrounds, who are in the best position to tell the world what the real human rights conditions are like in Xinjiang. The truth will in no way be denied by the lies fabricated by the US and other Western countries.

The real human rights conditions in Xinjiang are that the safety and property of people of all ethnic groups are fully guaranteed. From the 1990s to 2016, thousands of cases of violence and terrorism occurred in Xinjiang, seriously affecting the normal lives of people of all ethnic groups. Thanks to Xinjiang’s emphasis on addressing the root causes, strengthening vocational skills education and actively advancing counterterrorism and de-radicalization since then, it hasn't seen a single violent, terrorist incident over the past five years. Isn’t meeting the aspirations and expectations of people of all ethnic groups for peace and stability the strongest guarantee of human rights?

The real human rights conditions in Xinjiang are that the aspirations of the people of all ethnic groups for a better life have been fully satisfied. From 2012 to 2021, the GDP of Xinjiang doubled, and the average annual income of urban residents exceeded US$5,400. By the end of 2020, Xinjiang had historically eliminated absolute poverty and joined the nation in building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, with people of all ethnic groups there enjoying a higher sense of fulfillment than ever before. Tap water coverage in rural areas has reached 97.5%, and the power supply reliability in the grid has reached 99.78%. The 3-year free pre-school education and 9-year compulsory education have covered all rural areas. The free health examination for all residents has been carried out annually, with the basic medical insurance coverage rate exceeding 95%, and average life expectancy surpassing 72 years. Aren’t these figures reflecting the most praiseworthy human rights achievements?

The real human rights conditions in Xinjiang are that the cultural traditions and religious beliefs of the people of all ethnic groups are fully respected. Xinjiang encourages all ethnic groups to learn each other’s languages. Courses or majors in Uyghur, Kazakh and other minority languages are generally offered at schools at all levels, and multilingual services are provided in all fields of social life including administration and judiciary, press and publication, and radio and television. Xinjiang has translated and published multilingual versions of the Koran, Sahih al-Bukhari and other books, set up the China Islamic Institute to train religious clergy, and also improved the facilities and conditions of places of religious activity with government funding. Isn’t cultural prosperity and religious harmony the most powerful proof of the progress of the human rights cause?

The real human rights conditions in Xinjiang have been well recognized by the international community including ASEAN Member States and Muslim countries. Since 2018, 172 groups from 132 countries, regions and relevant international organizations have visited Xinjiang, witnessing and commenting positively on its development. The major Islamic organizations in Indonesia were invited to send delegations to visit Xinjiang and said after the visit that what they saw and heard in Xinjiang really made them feel that the Chinese government cares about the survival and development of the Muslim community.

However, those who pretend to be asleep cannot be awakened, and those with evil intentions will not admit the truth. By using human rights as a political tool, the US and other Western countries have been obsessed with distorting the facts and spreading lies, fantasizing about destabilizing Xinjiang and using it to contain China. Under their pressure and coercion, the so-called Assessment of Human Rights Concerns in Xinjiang issued by the OHCHR is not only in total disregard of the facts, but also seriously violates the principles of universality, objectivity, non-selectivity and non-politicization. It shows exactly how the OHCHR has been reduced to an enforcer of the US and some Western forces in forcing the developing countries to toe their line. To these Western countries, human rights is nothing but an easily accessible cheap weapon. An agency that acts like this can in no way represent the UN, still less the international community. 

The US and some Western countries’ schemes have long been seen through by most members of the international community. The lies they have spread about Xinjiang, no matter how they are packaged, will eventually be declared bankrupt in the face of the truth. The US and some Western forces seek to destabilize Xinjiang and use it to contain China. This unjust, pernicious political agenda will not have people’s support and will only end in failure. China will continue to steadfastly pursue human rights development with Chinese characteristics, and contribute more to the advancement of human rights in China and the whole world.