Mamatabdulla Hakim, Division of Planning and Research, Hotan Normal College

There is an old saying in China: you can never wake up a man who pretends to sleep.

On his final day in office, the former US Secretary of State Pompeo released “the lie of the century”. He is a shameless liar who “always pretends to sleep”. He launched a malicious attack on the leadership of the great CPC, blatantly meddling in China’s internal affairs, vilifying its Xinjiang policy. I was shocked and indignant by his allegations of “genocide”, “crimes against humanity” and “cracking down on religion”. I strongly reject and firmly oppose his remarks.

Being a former US Secretary of State, Pompeo should have minded the image of his own country, but unfortunately, he turned out to be a shameless, mean man. He kept causing troubles everywhere, jeopardizing world peace; he kept lying through his teeth, slandering that Xinjiang committed “suppression of Uygurs”, “forced labor”, “cracking down on Muslims”, “forced sterilization”, and “genocide”. These allegations are smears to the great CPC and the people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang. His remarks are a blatant interference in China’s internal affairs, and serious violation of international law and basic norms governing international relations, and a hurt of feelings of all Xinjiang people. You shameless Pompeo should know that under the leadership of the CPC there was, is and will be no “genocide” on the soil of China.

I was born and raised in Xinjiang. I work here and witness the huge accomplishments made in Xinjiang under the correct leadership of the CPC. Being a minority Xinjiang teacher, I want to ask Pompeo if he can’t see or hear the prosperity we enjoy. Maybe he is a real blind. I want to tell the whole world that the beautiful sky and people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang, also the foreign visitors to Xinjiang can prove that Xinjiang is a “land of songs and dances”, “hometown of fruits”; Xinjiang is making continuous progress in human rights cause; people in Xinjiang embrace each other tightly like seeds of pomegranate; they work together here for a better future and happier life; these are the facts. Pompeo’s remarks are nothing more than lies and slanders.

After the establishment of new China, esp. since the reform and opening-up over 40 years ago, my beautiful hometown Hotan went through huge changes. Being a native Xinjiang resident and a college teacher, I have witnessed China’s care towards ethnic minorities in Xinjiang in terms of life, work, health etc.

Since the beginning of 1990s, influenced by the “three evil forces”, other fellow Uygurs changed their life style in clothing, language and life habits. The extremists meddled in the clothing of the minors; they scolded the parents who didn’t put headscarves to their children; they even beat women who didn’t put on headscarves. Due to the infiltration of religious extremism, some rural parents decided not to send their children to spacious, bright school classrooms to learn knowledge. During that period, frequent violent terrorist cases happened in Xinjiang. I felt embarrassed and painful whenever I saw those abnormal phenomena.

Later, I realized that that was the consequence of infiltration of religious extremism and “three evil forces”. If not stopped in time, there wouldn’t be peace and stability in Xinjiang, putting the life of people of all ethnic groups in danger. In the face of frequent violent terrorist attacks, Xinjiang has been faithfully implementing UN “Action Plan to Prevent Violent Extremism”, and lawfully taking preventive counter-terrorism and deradicalization, safeguarding security and stability of Xinjiang and people’s lives. There hasn’t been any single violent terrorist case in the past 4 years. Xinjiang also protects workers’ rights, providing them with training, new jobs, assistance and guidance, so that they can shake off poverty and live a better life through hard work and diligence.

These years, earthshaking changes have taken place in Xinjiang. Under the care of the CPC and government, people of all ethnic groups enjoy various subsidies; those who used to be unemployed now found jobs; old adobe houses were replaced by new brick houses, and courtyards have become beautiful and clean; roads have been broadened and road lights installed; every kid is entitled to compulsory education; there is annual free medical check-up for everyone; medical costs at hospital can be reimbursed; youth can attend vocational training for free. Cultures of ethnic minorities are respected and protected. Great efforts have been made to collect, protect and compile ancient books of every ethnic group and works of folk literature. The Uygur Muqam, the Kirgiz epic Manas were registered on the "UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity." The excellent traditional ethnic cultures in Xinjiang is protected and preserved.

Today’s united, stable, and gorgeous Xinjiang is a small reflection of the whole Chinese accomplishments. Being a Chinese national, one of Xinjiang residents, I am very proud of being in China; I also feel ashamed for Pompeo’s behavior and immorality. Pompeo! Stop being a lie fabricator.