A Firm Rebuttal on Pompeo’s Lies of the Century

Shohrat Zakir

Governor of the People’s Government of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region

Recently, the former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo published Xinjiang-related fallacies, ignoring the facts and talking a pack of lies, falsely accusing that Xinjiang has committed “crime against humanity” and “genocide” against Uygur Muslims and other ethnic minorities. He launched groundless attack on the Xinjiang governing policies of the Chinese Government, and deliberately smeared the overall favorable situation and the happy life of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang. It is a gross interference of China’s internal affairs and severely violates international law and basic norms of international relations. I strongly deplore and reject it.

It is Pompeo’s usual trick to make an issue of Xinjiang and put a label on Xinjiang. The reason why he spreads a lot of unfounded charges on Xinjiang-related issues is to sow discord in ethnic relations, undermine Xinjiang’s stability and hinder Xinjiang’s development. He vainly attempts to pull Xinjiang into his preset trap of human rights, mislead the international public opinion, blacken China’s image and block China’s progress. This can only corroborate his inferior character and sinister intention of interfering in China’s internal affairs under the guise of human rights. In the face of the facts about Xinjiang’s stability and development, the lies that Pompeo spread will eventually be scotched. The pernicious influence he made will be swept into the garbage heap of history together with him. What he did franticly will be nailed to the pillar of shame in history.

In recent years, under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee and the concerted efforts of the people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang, great achievements have been made in Xinjiang’s work, with unprecedented progress in socio-economic development and livelihood improvement and all ethnic groups’ ever-increasing sense of fulfillment, happiness and security.

We have adhered to safeguarding social harmony and stability according to law.  By upholding the banner of socialist rule of law and the principle of preventing and fighting terrorism at the same time, we have both struck at violent terrorist crimes and emphasized on addressing the root causes of the problem, thus maximizing effort to protect the essential human rights of people of all ethnic groups from terrorism and extremism. At present, Xinjiang has seen no violent terrorist attacks for four straight years, meeting all ethnic groups’ desire and expectation of for peace and stability over the years.

We have been resolute in winning the battle against poverty. A total of 3.0649 million people in 3,666 poverty-stricken villages and 32 poverty-stricken counties have been lifted out of poverty. We have comprehensively realized the goal that all rural impoverished residents no longer have to worry about food and clothing and their compulsory education, basic medical insurance and housing security are guaranteed. Absolute poverty and overall regional poverty in the four prefectures in southern Xinjiang have basically been eliminated, and decisive victory has been made in poverty alleviation.

We have promoted high quality economic development. From 2014 to 2019, Xinjiang’s regional GDP grew from 919.59 billion yuan to 1.35971 trillion yuan, up 7.2%; its general public budget revenue increased from 128.23 billion yuan to 157.76 billion yuan, up 5.7%; its infrastructure construction has got continuously improved, with all its 14 prefectures and cities having got access to expressways.

We have constantly improved the people’s livelihood. Every year, over 70% of general public budget expenditure is used in programs for the benefit of the people. From 2014 to 2019, the per capita disposable income of Xinjiang residents increased by 9.1% annually; nine-year compulsory education realized full coverage of the region; three-year preschool education and twelve-year basic education achieved full coverage in southern Xinjiang; 99.7% of the residents were covered by basic medical insurance, and all Xinjiang citizens enjoyed free physical examination; more development achievements benefited the people of all ethnic groups more fairly.

We have upheld brotherhood and mutual assistance among all ethnic groups. The Party’s ethnic policies are fully carried out, and the system of regional ethnic autonomy, resolutely implemented. Ethnic minorities’ traditions and habits are fully respected, and their fine traditional cultures are lawfully protected, inherited and carried forward. All ethnic groups’ right to use and develop their mother tongue and writing systems is also protected according to law. With harmonious exchanges and coexistence, they are closely united together like the seeds of a pomegranate that stick together.

We have ensured all ethnic groups’ freedom of religious belief in accordance to the law. The Party’s policy on freedom of religious belief is fully carried out. We protect the faithful’s normal religious activities and needs in accordance with law, open religious schools such as Xinjiang Islamic Institute, and help to improve the conditions of religious venues and activities, hence promoting religious harmony.

Xinjiang’s historical achievements have drawn world-wide attention, and demonstrated the incomparable superiority of the socialist system with Chinese characteristics and the warmth of the big family of the motherland. Xinjiang people of all ethnic groups firmly support the CPC and full of confidence in creating a better life. Since December, 2018, more than 1,200 people in 80 plus delegations of UN officials, foreign diplomats in China, IOC, permanent representatives of relevant countries to Geneva, journalists and religious groups have visited Xinjiang, and I myself have met many of them. After going to all parts of the region to learn the facts, they all praised Xinjiang’s achievements in counterterrorism and deradicalization, protection of the citizens’ freedom of religious belief, promotion of economic development, and improvement of the people’s livelihood, and said that Xinjiang’s practices are worth learning from.

Facts speak louder than words, and rumors are stopped by wise men. Pompeo’s disgusting conducts and despicable tricks will not prevail in the end. We firmly believe that no slander can stop the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, no rumor can obliterate the fact of Xinjiang’s development and progress in its cause of human rights, and no plot can shake the determination of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang to unite and work hard. No matter how Pompeo lies, cheats or sows discord, he will not be able to undermine Xinjiang’s overall social stability, to interfere with the good life of people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang, or to stop Xinjiang’s resolute pace in striving forward.