Children play at the International Grand Bazaar in Urumqi, capital of the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, on July 14, 2021. [Photo by Wei Xiaohao/chinadaily.com.cn]
Oct. 13, 2021 -- The basic rights of people of all ethnic groups, including the rights to subsistence and development, have been guaranteed, as terrorist incidents have been curbed in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, a senior official said on Wednesday.
No terrorist incident has been seen in Xinjiang for more than four consecutive years as the fight against terrorism continues in the region, said Jiang Jianguo, vice-minister of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee.
"The infiltration of extremism in Xinjiang has been curbed, public security has improved and people are living happy and peaceful lives," Jiang said in a speech at the opening ceremony of the fourth international seminar on counter-terrorism, deradicalization and human rights protection on Wednesday.
Jiang said Xinjiang is the main battlefield in China's fight against terrorism and radicalization. Previously, the region had been under the combined influence of ethnic separatist forces, religious extremist forces and violent terrorist forces.
"For some time, terrorist incidents occurred frequently, causing great harm to the safety and property of people of all ethnic groups and seriously violating their human rights," Jiang said.
Xinjiang has taken decisive measures to fight terrorism and radicalization in accordance with the law, he said.
Jiang called on the international community to strengthen consultation and cooperation and abandon their double standards on fighting terrorism.
While cracking down on terrorist activities in accordance with the law, efforts should be made to educate and rescue those poisoned by extremism, he said.
Jiang also called for supporting all countries to eradicate poverty and realize sustainable economic and social development, and advocating mutual respect and harmonious coexistence among civilizations, religions and ethnic groups.
The seminar was co-sponsored by the China Society for Human Rights Studies and the Information Office of the People's Government of Guangdong province. About 60 Chinese and 40 foreign participants attended the seminar at the venue in Guangzhou or online.
Topics discussed at the seminar included rights protection and media responsibility in counter-terrorism and deradicalization.
