Nov. 18, 2021 -- Officials from China's Xinjiang region are praising their counter-terrorism efforts. They held a press conference Wednesday morning, noting the region has not seen a terror attack in recent years. They also accused the US of using double standard to attack China's efforts. Wang Siwen reports.
In 2014, a terrorist attack in Xinjiang's Shache County killed Zhang Lihua's husband.
ZHANG LIHUA Lost husband in terror attack in Xinjiang in 2014 "Even now, when I close my eyes at night, the memories still come to mind. The harm they brought to me can't be wiped away. I don't want this to ever happen again."
Between 1990 and 2016, thousands of terrorist attacks plagued the vast land of Xinjiang. Xinjiang has adopted a series of counter-terrorism and de-radicalization measures, including improving people's living standards and relying on international cooperation.
Authorities say the region has not seen any attacks in five straight years. They also slam the US for its attacks on Chinese policies in Xinjiang.
The US has accused China of human rights violations, while China insists its de-radicalization efforts toward Uygurs are aimed at tackling terrorism.
XU GUIXIANG Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Regional Government Spokesperson "China's Xinjiang actively responds to the UN's counter-terrorism initiative and resolutely combats all forms of terrorism, while the United States pursues a 'double standard', by cherry-picking , and even openly condemning China and supporting terrorist organizations and their activities."
The officials said China aims to protect people of all ethnic groups in China from terrorism, while the US is using the issue as a political tool to attack China.
WANG SIWEN Beijing "Over the past five years, violence has largely been contained in Xinjiang, which has helped to achieve urbanization and economic growth. The spokesperson says the US has applied double standards on China's effort to fight terrorism, and using the issue as a political tool, not to protect people. Wang Siwen, CGTN, Beijing."
