Reyila Tayer, Teacher of School of Information Science and Engineering, Xinjiang University

On January 19, 2021, Pompeo, the former US Secretary of State, who is known as the “worst” Anti-China maniac, will finally step down. At this happy moment, “Mr. Pompeo” has not forgotten to smear us. He used the word “genocide” to slander the Chinese government’s policy in Xinjiang, and his plot to maintain his political ambitions with lies was quite clear.

As a teacher at Xinjiang University, I want to argue with Pompeo after reading his lies. I was born in Hami, a city in east Xinjiang. With the favorable education policies of the government, as a Uyghur, I have received high-quality education together with people of other ethnic groups, and I have graduated with MA degree as a student proficient in three languages. Now I have returned to my hometown, Xinjiang, China, to contribute to its bright future. My experience is a living example. We Uyghurs enjoy the same treatment and protection as other ethnic groups, and even enjoy more preferential policies. The Uyghurs’ growth and progress in the motherland is also obvious to all, which is enough to shatter Pompeo’s lies.

Pompeo shamelessly used “genocide” and other words, which is ridiculous! The Uyghur population in Xinjiang was 5.5 million in 1978, and by 2018, it had reached 12.71 million, more than doubling that of 40 years ago. In the 8 years from 2010 to 2018, the Uyghur population grew by 25%, higher than that of Xinjiang as a whole. How do you protect the status and rights of ethnic minorities in your country while attacking China? I believe that people all over the world can see clearly! Regardless of the human rights of your country, you pour dirty water on China for your own self-interest just to realize your political ambition!

Pompeo’s fabricated religious issue was also illusory. Historically, many civilizations and religions coexisted in Xinjiang. In the Constitution of the People’s Republic of China, freedom of religious belief is citizens’ basic right. Article 36 of the Constitution stipulates “citizens of the people’s Republic of China enjoy freedom of religious belief.” Various religions, including Islam, meet the needs of the believers. Pompeo’s so-called suppression of religion is utter nonsense.

In addition, more than half of the students of all ethnic groups studying at Xinjiang University are ethnic minorities. Students of all ethnic groups study and live together. They are united here. The beautiful and harmonious campus is the epitome of Xinjiang’s prosperity. Under the effective governance of the local government, Xinjiang has maintained overall stability and the situation has continued to improve. Social stability has been maintained in both urban and rural areas, and there has been no violent or terrorist cases for four years. People’s sense of attainment, happiness and security has continued to increase. The squares here at night are full of people, including the elderly and children, who are enjoying themselves in this harmonious and stable atmosphere. According to my colleagues who work in villages, earth-shaking changes have taken place in rural areas of Xinjiang. Residential houses have sprung up one after another. Ethnic minorities who have slept on the earth kang for generations have begun to enjoy the benefits and comfort of modern civilized life, and children can receive high-quality education from kindergarten. I have witnessed Pompeo’s rumors are self-defeating.

The so-called “genocide” and “crimes against humanity” perpetrated in Xinjiang,China are nothing but sensational false statements and malicious farce deliberately concocted by Pompeo. They only exist in his ugly political conspiracy. They have never happened, do not and will not happen in China!