Adili Shataer, Deputy Dean and Professor, College of Forestry and Horticulture, Xinjiang Agricultural University

Recently, Pompeo, the former US Secretary of State, confusing the right and the wrong, fabricated fallacies out of nothing. He once again concocted slanders such as “human rights oppression”, “forced labor”, “genocide” and “forced sterilization” in Xinjiang. I was born in a farmer’s family in Shache County, Kashgar Prefecture, Xinjiang. I grew up in Xinjiang and studied in Beijing. I am a participant, witness, and beneficiary of Xinjiang’s stable and prosperous development. As a Uygur intellectual, I am extremely indignant at Pompeo’s shameful behavior and absurd remarks, and express my strong condemnation and firm opposition!

Pompeo falsely claimed that Xinjiang has set up concentration camps to illegally detain and persecute millions of Uygur and other ethnic minorities. This is purely a groundless rumor, which exposes the ugly nature of Pompeo, the political swindler. Xinjiang’s anti-terrorism and de-radicalization combat in accordance with the law is a just act recognized and supported by the international community. I have visited a vocational education and training center in Hotan in person. The center provided professional courses and free accommodation for the students to ensure and meet the reasonable needs of the students in study, life, entertainment, physical exercise and so on. I can see that the conditions of vocational education and training center in Hotan are as good as those in our Xinjiang Agricultural University. The vocational education and training center was actually a training school to help students get rid of extremism ideological bondage, master skills and achieve stable employment. For such a school, how can it be discredited as “concentration camp” and “illegal detention and persecution”?!

Pompeo falsely claimed that there is so-called “forced labor” in Xinjiang. It is a pure nonsense and exposes his despicable nature without any moral principle. Kuerbanjiang, my nephew, thanks to the good policies of the state, went out of his hometown in Shache and found his way into Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang. With his own labor, he got a monthly income of 5000 yuan. In 2020, he also found a job by himself. Based on the principle of equality and volunteer, he signed a labor contract with the enterprise in accordance with the law, and works as an installation worker in Karamay City. He has a monthly income of more than 6000 yuan and now lives a happy life. My nephew is just one example of the people in southern Xinjiang. Many people have gone out of the countryside and into the city to choose the work they like and they are qualified to do, and strive for a happy life with hard work. They are free to choose employment. Where can you find the so called “forced labor”?

Pompeo falsely claimed that Xinjiang suppressed the population of ethnic minorities and carried out genocide against Uygurs. It is a pure nonsense. In recent years, with the continuous improvement of production and living conditions, the education level and cultural quality of the people of all ethnic groups have been greatly improved, and the concept of raising children has changed. More and more people of all ethnic groups voluntarily choose late marriage and late childbirth, fewer and better births, and independently choose safe, effective and appropriate birth control measures. There is no “compulsory sterilization” problem at all.

As a Uygur intellectual, I have a deep understanding that only social stability can speed up economic and social development and enable people of all ethnic groups to share the fruits of reform and development. Xinjiang’s great situation of harmony, stability, prosperity and development was not won easily. Anyone or any force is not allowed to interfere in Xinjiang. The people of all nationalities in Xinjiang has the final say about the things in Xinjiang. Whether they are good or not, they are judged by the reality of social stability and security in Xinjiang.