The 57th Press Conference of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on Xinjiang-related Issues

（October 11, 2021, Beijing）

Photo taken on October 11, 2021 shows the 57th Press Conference on Xinjiang-related Issues in Beijing.

Xu Guixiang: Good morning, media friends. Welcome to the press conference of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (XUAR) on Xinjiang related issues. I’m Xu Guixiang, spokesman of the Government of XUAR. This is Elijan Anayat, another spokesman of the Government of XUAR. We two will preside over today’s press conference together. We will also invite grass-roots mass representatives to brief us on relevant information to you via online video.

Now, I’d like to talk about the content of today’s press conference.

Photo taken on October 11, 2021 shows Xu Guixiang, spokesman of People’s Government of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region speaks at the 57th Press Conference on Xinjiang-related Issues in Beijing.

At the 48th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council that has just been concluded, some western countries expressed “concern” about issues related to Xinjiang and hyped the so-called “violation of the human rights of ethnic minorities” in Xinjiang. In particular, the United States did not hesitate to work in collusion with such violent, terrorist and separatist organizations as “The World Uygur Congress” to jointly concoct the so-called “exhibition” and spread false information about China. They turned the Human Rights Council into a stage of political confrontation, made unwarranted accusations and attacks on China in terms of Xinjiang related issues based on false information, rumors and lies, and grossly interfered in China’s internal affairs under the pretext of human rights. We firmly oppose that.

A lie repeated a thousand times is still a lie, and the international community has not been blinded by the platitudes of a few countries. We have learned that Pakistan made a statement in support of China on behalf of 65 countries. The six member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council jointly sent a letter in support of China’s position. More than 20 countries spoke individually in support of China and nearly 100 countries expressed their understanding and support for China’s position on Xinjiang related policies in different ways. These rational voices and just forces are admirable and fully illustrate the aspirations of the international community.

Today, we hold a press conference on Xinjiang related issues in order to expose the fallacies related to Xinjiang with the truth. Some mass representatives invited will provide strong human rights evidence which will show the real human rights situation and refute unreasonable human rights lies.

Xu Guixiang: At the 48th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council that has just been concluded, the United States and other western countries falsely claimed that the human rights of ethnic minorities in Xinjiang were not guaranteed. They took that as a pretext and imposed unilateral sanctions on individuals and entities in Xinjiang. However, in fact, these countries which proclaim themselves “human rights judges” are extremely keen to play the role of “human rights teachers”, but they turn a blind eye to their own serious human rights problems and avoid talking about them. They are the countries that have really violated human rights. Now I would like to make comments on that issue.

Xu Guixiang: It is extremely absurd for the anti-China forces in the United States and the west to attack China on the human rights situation in Xinjiang and label Xinjiang’s just act of cracking down on the “three forces” as “violating human rights”. In July this year, the Information Office of the State Council of China issued a white paper Respecting and Protecting the Rights of All Ethnic Groups, which comprehensively elaborates the civil rights, political rights, economic rights, cultural rights, social rights, rights of women and children, rights of religious freedom and other basic rights enjoyed by the people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang in accordance with the law. It also shows the true picture of the continuous development and progress of human rights in Xinjiang. Solid facts show that the so-called “human rights violations” in Xinjiang are nonsense, and the so-called sanctions against Xinjiang are futile.

For the people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang, social stability and happy life are the greatest human rights. Over some time, frequent breakout of terrorist attacks in Xinjiang seriously damaged the social stability and peace and the atmosphere of unity and progress, and wantonly trampled on the basic human rights of the people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang, such as the right to life, the right to health, the right to development and so on. In the face of terrorist atrocities, Xinjiang resolutely took strict prevention and severe crack-down measures in accordance with the law, maintaining a deterrent posture against terrorist forces, and protected the basic human rights of the vast majority of masses from terrorism and extremism to the greatest extent. At present, Xinjiang takes a great look of stability, harmony and prosperity, which is characterized by economic development, social stability, improvement of people’s livelihood, cultural prosperity, ethnic unity, and religious harmony. The people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang, together with the people of other parts of China, have equal status and development opportunities, enjoying the fruits of reform and development, and lead a happy and peaceful life. Their sense of fulfillment, happiness and security is being continuously enhanced. We believe that that is the biggest human rights project and the best human rights practice.

On the surface, the anti-China forces in the United States and the west are very concerned about the human rights issue in Xinjiang, but they are unwilling to face and admit the fact that the people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang are fully enjoying basic human rights. Instead, they indulge in the illusion of “suppressing ethnic minorities” and “violating human rights” in Xinjiang fabricated by false witnesses, false statements and false evidence. When more and more insightful people in the world gradually see clearly the real Xinjiang and the conspiracy of anti-China forces to restrict China’s development with Xinjiang related issues, their intervention, criticism and accusation on human rights issues become more feeble, absurd and futile.

It is undeniable that the United States never examines its own human rights issues, but stubbornly politicizes the human rights issue and openly pursues “double standards”. As we all know, the United States itself has serious human rights problems such as racial discrimination, xenophobia, abuse of aboriginal children, violation of refugees’ rights and killing innocent people indiscriminately overseas. The United States is a long-term “human rights violator” and a “loser” in protecting its own human rights. However, they do not think about and correct their own human rights abuses, but blindly “care” about the human rights of other countries. Its political conspiracy is obvious. We advise the United States to be an upright super power which should invest its resources and effort on improving the well-being of its people and protecting human rights. Stop being obsessed with judging others from one’s own position, and stop playing such funny political tricks.

The human rights situation in Xinjiang should not be denigrated. We firmly uphold international law and the basic norms of international relations. We resolutely safeguard China’s sovereignty, security and development interests. We resolutely oppose all external forces interfering in Xinjiang’s affairs and China’s internal affairs through the so-called “human rights issue”, and resolutely oppose all forms of power politics and bullying. Xinjiang will unswervingly and thoroughly implement the constitutional principle of respecting and protecting human rights, actively promote the common unity and struggle, common prosperity and development of all ethnic groups, and protect the equal rights of all ethnic groups to a greater extent and at a higher level.

Xu Guixiang: The anti-China forces in the United States and the west falsely claim that they have evidence in their hands, which can prove that there are problems such as “massive violations of human rights” in Xinjiang. On that issue, I have done some research and investigation, and got some conclusions.

Xu Guixiang: The lies concocted by anti-China forces in the United States and the west on the human rights issue in Xinjiang are mainly based on the following four sources of evidence: first, the so-called “direct survivors”, “witnesses” and their relatives’ accounts; Secondly, false audio and video stuff produced by western journalists, non-governmental organizations and scholars through improper ways, mainly including Australian Strategic Policy Institute, Amnesty International, the research institute for innovation strategy and policy in the United States, Uygur human rights project headquartered in Washington, Human Rights Watch and other anti-China organizations, as well as Adrian Zenz and other anti-China scholars; Thirdly, mismatched satellite image data. For example, Australian Strategic Policy Institute concocted the so-called “Xinjiang detention center database” and shot a large number of images of the so-called “detention center” through satellite imaging; Fourthly, the so-called “internal documents” in Xinjiang claimed by the United States and western countries in recent years.

In fact, the accusations of the so-called “massive violation of human rights” in Xinjiang by the anti-China forces in the United States and the west are all based on unreliable sources, biased reports and deliberate framing. They have no factual basis and their accusations can not stand scrutiny at all. Now I would like to show you some examples.

First, German anti-China figure Adrian Zenz published a report falsely claiming that he had the “Karakax list” of the Xinjiang government at hand. He claimed that 311 people on the list were from Moyu County, Hotan Prefecture, Xinjiang and that they had been detained in the vocational education and training center for various reasons, which “confirmed” that Xinjiang was carrying out an unprecedented “massive detention movement”. Without investigation and verification, some foreign media have successively reported that false information and quoted Adrian Zenz’s so-called “research conclusions” to slander and attack Xinjiang’s counter-terrorism and de-radicalization measures. In fact, the so-called “Karakax list” was jointly forged by the “East Turkistan” elements in China and abroad. According to the investigation of relevant departments, the vast majority of the 311 people in the “list” are residents of Bostan street, Moyu County. They have been working and living normally in society. Only a few people infected with religious extremism and confirmed to have committed minor crimes have received training at vocational education and training center according to law. Adrian Zenz used the identity information of the residents in the “list” to fabricate slanders. His despicable behaviour annoyed the residents and they stood up one after another to expose the slanders. In addition, Adrian Zenz also published a report slandering the population and family planning in Xinjiang. In this regard, the German media “Nachrichten” published a report on October 4, saying that according to the inside information of former team members of anti-China scholar Adrian Zenz, Adrian Zenz has never done any effective research on the humanities and development of Xinjiang. His so-called reports related to Xinjiang are academic fraud, which is obtained through the “evaluation” on the public documents of the Chinese government, so as to obtain a large amount of funding from American officials.

Secondly, in the “Xinjiang data project” and “map plate” produced by Australian Strategic Policy Institute, it is claimed that they have identified and confirmed the geographical information of the so-called 380 “detention facilities” in Xinjiang through satellite images and night lighting technology, and that Xinjiang has “built a large number of new detention places” in Urumqi, Kashgar, Aksu and other places. However, after verification, the vast majority of the so-called 380 “detention facilities” are schools, governmental organs and institutions, hospitals, houses, shops, etc.

Thirdly, Zaomure Dawuti, a native of Xinjiang, said in an interview with foreign media that she had been examined by the Xinjiang public security department and detained in the vocational education and training center because of her marriage to a foreign man. She also said that she had been “brutally persecuted”, “had been forced to take contraceptive drugs with other women in detention”, “had been forced to undergo sterilization”, “had her uterus removed”, and “encountered a pork feast at a paired-up relative’s home”. She also falsely claimed that “my father died after being interrogated by the police for many times” and “I found that the Chinese authorities have formulated a compulsory ‘pairing-up’ system to authorize Han people to live with Uygur families and Han people to sleep with us.” In fact, what Zaomure Dawuti said is a lie. First, she has never studied in the vocational education and training center. Her fifth brother Abuduheili Dawuti said in an interview that his sister Zaomure Dawuti had never entered the vocational education and training center. Secondly, she has not been “forcibly sterilized” at all. In March 2013, when Zaomure Dawuti gave birth to her third child in the Maternity Hospital of Urumqi Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, she signed the “voluntary consent for delivery” and voluntarily asked for cesarean section and ligation. She was not sterilized at all, let alone uterus removal. Thirdly, her father was never detained. Her fifth brother confirmed that their father had always lived a normal life with their children and had never been “investigated” or “detained”. He died of coronary heart disease later, and there was no such thing as “his father died after being interrogated by the police for many times”. Fourthly, what Zaomure Dawuti said about “encountered a pork feast at a paired-up relative’s home” was purely groundless. The “paired-up relative” mentioned by Zaomure Dawuti is actually a person surnamed Zhao, a paired-up relative of her fifth brother Abuduheili Dawuti. In January 2018, Zhao invited Abuduheili Dawuti, his wife Huo’erkezi Aihemati and his sister Zaomure Dawuti to his home. Zhao’s mother cooked meals for the guests herself. She is a Hui and only has halal diet, so it’s impossible for her to provide a “pork feast”. Over the meal, they also took pictures together. Fifthly, Zaomure Dawuti’s paired-up relative arranged in the program of “Ethnic Unity like One Family” is Zhang, who has never lived in her house.

Fourthly, in January this year, the U.S. Embassy in China released a picture on its “Twitter” account on the basis of information from unknown sources, saying that “the Chinese government continues to suppress Islam in Xinjiang, resulting in the loss of a fine welcome plaque of over 100 years’ history in Id Kah Mosque”. Next, we’ll make online video connection with Maimaiti Juma, Vice President of Xinjiang Islamic Association and Imam of Id Kah Mosque in Kashgar.

Hello, Maimaiti Juma. We are holding a press conference on Xinjiang related issues in Beijing. Just now I talked about the scripture plaque of Id Kah Mosque in Kashgar. Please brief us on it.

Photo taken on October 11, 2021 shows Maimaiti Juma speaks at the 57th Press Conference on Xinjiang-related Issues in Beijing.

Maimati Juma: Hello, I’m Maimati Juma, Imam of Id Kah Mosque in Kashgar. The scripture plaque above the gate of Id Kah Mosque in Kashgar City was made and put to use in 1982. The plaque is 2.7m long and 1.3m wide. Scriptures are written on it, namely, the Islamic holy words. The scriptures on the plaque are illegible and damaged for years of outdoor weathering. In 2017, according to the requirements of cultural relics protection, the people’s management organization of Id Kah Mosque in Kashgar organized restoration, redrawing scriptures and repainting plaques after soliciting the opinions of Islamic circles and religious believers. After the restoration, for sake of better preservation, the scripture plaque was hung on the outer wall of the main hall with a canopy in Id Kah Mosque. That is the case with the plaque.

Xu Guixiang: Just now we connected the Id Kah Mosque Mosque in Kashgar via online video and Imam Maimati Juma briefed us on this plaque. The plaque is intact well in its place in the mosque. However, what happened to it was falsely interpreted by some forces as lies of persecuting religion and suppressing Islam. These lies have nothing new, and finally the facts have brought shame on these people. There are still many examples of using false information sources to slander Xinjiang, but they have been proved to be false, untrue, or even lies deliberately forged. For what the Xinjiang government has done, the people of all ethnic groups living in Xinjiang and people from all walks of life who have been to Xinjiang have the most say, and they are also the most authoritative, authentic and direct information source. However, the anti-China forces in the United States and some western countries turn a blind eye to these sources of information, and firmly believe in those lies. that can only prove that they do not care about the truth, but find excuses for meddling in Xinjiang affairs and interfering in China’s internal affairs.

Xu Guixiang: The anti-China forces in the United States and the west falsely claim that there is “forced labor” in Xinjiang and use that as an excuse to unreasonably sanction the cotton industry in Xinjiang. that is completely an act of “judging others from one’s own position” and a vain attempt to transfer their historical stains and dirty acts to Xinjiang China. Is there “forced labor” in Xinjiang’s cotton industry? Now, let’s have an online video connection with Aimai’er Simayi, a cotton farmer in Xinhe County, Aksu Prefecture.

Hello, Aimai’er Simayi. We are holding a press conference on Xinjiang related issues in Beijing. Please tell us something about cotton picking.

Photo taken on October 11, 2021 shows Aimai’er Simayi speaks at the 57th Press Conference on Xinjiang-related Issues in Beijing.

Aimai’er Simayi: Hello, host! My name is Aimai’er Simayi. My family live in Xinhe County, Aksu Prefecture. My family has a farmland of 810 mu, of which more than 600 mu is for cotton growing.

Look, the cotton field behind me is mine. The cotton is in prosperous bloom and beautiful! These two days I began to harvest cotton with cotton picker machine. In the past, for the shortage of laborers in my family, I was always worried that I couldn’t find enough laborers during cotton picking season and had to make preparations for a long time in advance every year. It usually took 30 cotton picking workers more than one month to finish cotton harvest in the past. I paid them each on the price of 2 yuan per kilogram picking amount. This is a big cost of time and money. Now I use the cotton picker machine to harvest cotton, which greatly saves the cost. The cotton picking work in all the fields can be completed in one day. My income from cotton this year is about 2.5 million yuan.

I have grown cotton for many years. Mechanized cotton planting has really changed my life. Now I not only grow cotton, but also raise cattle and sheep. I am enjoying a happy life by growing cotton. I live in a spacious and comfortable house, and have bought two cars. I have also bought an apartment for my parents in the city. Nowadays, educational conditions for children are getting better and better. They enjoy free schooling and social security. We don’t have to pay much for seeing a doctor. Most of the medical expenses are reimbursed by the government. We all live a very happy life. Now I am busy with making preparations for the establishment of cooperatives. I would like to take advantage of my own agricultural technology to lead the people of our village to increase their income and get a well off life together. I want to make contributions to the development of our hometown with my practical actions.

Xu Guixiang: Now we will comment on the protection of women’s rights and interests in Xinjiang. Some anti-China forces falsely allege that Xinjiang has seriously infringed on the rights and interests of ethnic minority women, and spread lies that ethnic minority women have been subjected to forced birth control and forced labor. Next, we will connect Ms. Ayinu’er Maihesaiti, Chairwoman of the Women's Federation of XUAR via online video and invite her to brief us on the issue. As far as we know, she also invited several women to share their views.

Ms. Ayinu’er, we are holding a press conference on Xinjiang related issues in Beijing. I have learned that you are in Hotan. Now please brief us on the protection of women’s rights and interests in Xinjiang.

Photo taken on October 11, 2021 shows Ayinu’er Maihesaiti speaks at the 57th Press Conference on Xinjiang-related Issues in Beijing.

Ayinu’er Maihesaiti: Please allow the woman representatives from Hotan Prefecture and me to introduce the protection of women’s rights and interests in Xinjiang together. Xinjiang attaches great importance to the protection of women’s rights and interests. It has successively formulated and promulgated laws and regulations related to women’s rights and interests, such as The Measures for the Implementation of the Law of The People’s Republic of China on the Protection of Rights And Interests of Women in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and The Measures for the Implementation of Anti-Domestic Violence Law of the People's Republic of China in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, and implemented women’s development plan. We have included the main indicators of women’s development into the national economic and social development plan of XUAR, and strive to promote the fulfillment of women’s legitimate rights and interests in political, economic, cultural and other areas. Women’s federations at all levels have effectively played their roles in safeguarding women’s legitimate rights and interests, listening to women’s opinions, and expressing women’s demands, showing care to women’s work and life, and actively promote the steady development of women’s undertakings.

Photo taken on October 11, 2021 shows Ayinu’er Maihesaiti makes a video connection with several sister representatives at the 57th Press Conference on Xinjiang-related Issues in Beijing.

In terms of protecting women’s political rights in accordance with the law, Xinjiang consistently takes promoting women’s growth and progress as an important measure to implement the basic national policy of gender equality and carry out the strategy of strengthening the country with talents, guaranteeing women’s right to the participation in democratic decision-making, democratic management and democratic supervision of state and social affairs in accordance with the law. The number of women participating in public affairs management continued to grow, and the number of female officials increased from 16,338 in early 1955 to 460,600 in 2019. At the beginning of 2020, there were 13 women deputies to the National People’s Congress in Xinjiang, accounting for 22.41%; Among the deputies to the people’s Congress of XUAR, 146 were women, accounting for 27.24%; Among the CPPCC members living in Xinjiang, there were 8 women, accounting for 23.5%. The role of women in grassroots democracy and enterprise management has been further enhanced. In 2020, women accounted for 64.7% of the members of residents’ committees and 30.5% of the members of village committees. Women’s social status and family status have improved significantly.

Today, Masimu Qiapa’er, deputy to the 13th National People’s Congress of XUAR has come to the press conference and she will comment on the issue.

Photo taken on October 11, 2021 shows Masimu Qiapa’er speaks at the 57th Press Conference on Xinjiang-related Issues in Beijing.

Masimu Qiapa’er: Hello, everyone. My name is Masimu Qiapa’er. I am a Uygur civil worker and 42 years old. In 2017, I was honored to be elected as a deputy to the 13th National People’s Congress of XUAR.

I have attended people’s congress four times, at which we deliberated on the government work report and discussed decisions on various major issues. Over the past four years, we have submitted 17 suggestions and proposals to the congress on the construction of Hotan Education Park and the construction of household heating project on transferring coal to gas. The government of XUAR and relevant departments paid special attention to them. Each suggestion and proposal has got a reply and has been implemented.

Today, I would like to talk about the changes that have taken place in the life of Hotan farmers’ families.

Look, in the past, the farmers used to burn coal for heating, but now natural gas has been introduced into their homes. Some farmers have also installed electric heating, which is clean, environmentally friendly and safe.

This is Derun Education Park, which has been put into use since 2021. The hardware facilities and educational environment here are first-class. Here, students can enjoy high-quality educational resources.

Ayinu’er Maihesati: In terms of guaranteeing women’s reproductive rights in accordance with the law, in the process of implementing family planning in accordance with the law, whether and how people of all ethnic groups take contraceptive measures are decided by individuals independently and voluntarily, and the government provides safe and reliable services for reproductive health. With the socioeconomic development and the rising of people’s living standards in Xinjiang, the fertility concept of the people of all ethnic groups has changed significantly. It has become a common social phenomenon to voluntarily choose late marriage and late childbirth, fewer and better birth. Nowadays, women of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang can spend more time and effort to cultivate their children and take care of their families. that also helps create conditions for them to enter society, broaden their horizons, increase their knowledge and ability and realize their personal value.

Today, we have also invited Nu’erbiya Mutalipu, Chairwoman of the Women’s Federation of Dun’airike Village, Bageqi Town, Hotan County, Hotan Prefecture, to brief us on the issue in her village.

Photo taken on October 11, 2021 shows Nu’erbiya Mutalipu speaks at the 57th Press Conference on Xinjiang-related Issues in Beijing.

Nu’erbiya Mutalipu: Hello, my name is Nu’erbiya Mutalipu. I am the Chairwoman of Women’s Federation a village in Hotan County. My husband is a worker engaged in decoration. We have two lovely babies. My family have a very happy life.

My family live in a village. The women in the village are always ready to share with me what they know or encounter. There are many families with two or three children like mine in the village. Women’s reproductive rights are protected by law. Whether they adopt contraceptive measures and what contraceptive methods they adopt are the freedom of each family, and no one interferes.

As the Chairwoman of Women’s Federation in the village, my responsibility is to help the women solve their problems, publicize relevant policies, regulations and popular scientific knowledge to them, and provide physical examination and vitamins such as folic acid for pregnant women. I also help women in the village apply for reimbursement of their delivery expenses and timely inform them to vaccinate their children.

This year, there are four more babies in the village. We often share knowledge about childcare and health care with each other. Now, women with a increasingly stronger sense of health, have learned how to care themselves, and they attach great importance to their children’s education and growth. Mothers and babies in our village are very happy.

Ayinu’er Maihesaiti: In the effective protection of women’s health rights and interests, Xinjiang has widely implemented the women’s health benefit program, and actively promoted free screening of breast cancer and cervical cancer. With women’s health services being continuously strengthened, women’s health has improved significantly and maternal health care has been significantly improved. From 2000 to 2020, the rate of prenatal examination has increased from 80.14% to 98.53%, and the rate of delivery in hospital has increased from 59.69% to 99.82%. In recent years, relying on the program of “Mother’s Health Express” and “Mobile Ophthalmic Surgery for Eyesight Recovery”, Xinjiang has provided 170,000 women with medical assistance such as free clinic and physical examination, which has been praised by women of all ethnic groups.

Today, we have invited Kelibiguli Tu’ersong, Director of Women’s Health Department of Hotan Maternal and Child Health Hospital, to brief us on that issue.

Photo taken on October 11, 2021 shows Kelibiguli Tu’ersong speaks at the 57th Press Conference on Xinjiang-related Issues in Beijing.

Kelibiguli Tu’ersong: Hello, everyone! I’m Kelibiguli Tu’ersong, Director of Women’s Health Department of Hotan Maternal and Child Health Hospital. My job is to implement various policies for women and children and help all the women and children to enjoy the benefits of policies.

My daily work involves medical check-up for men and women who are ready to get married, breast cancer and cervical cancer screening services for women, and establishment of maternity and infant health records for pregnant and lying in women in order to guarantee the safety of infants and health of women. In the past, some pregnant women gave birth at home, which was very unsafe. After years of publicity, now all pregnant women go to the hospital to give birth to children to ensure the safety of mother and baby.

I have worked in this position for 28 years. Women in my village affectionately call me “golden finger”, because I have my own unique skills in breast disease diagnosis. I can accurately judge women’s breast diseases only by touching, so that many women can have earlier discovery, earlier prevention and earlier treatment of the disease. Some of them who have been diagnosed to major diseases have not only received good treatment, but also enjoyed additional subsidy policies on the basis of medical reimbursement for serious diseases.

Over the years, I have personally experienced and witnessed many examples of enjoying the policy of benefiting the women and children. I also have a special sense of achievement. I think all my efforts are worth it.

Ayinu’er Maihesaiti: In terms of protecting women’s rights and interests in education in accordance with the law, Xinjiang has set the gender perspective in the formulation, implementation and evaluation of education laws, policies and development plans in order to implement gender equality, prohibit gender discrimination and create a social environment conducive to women’s access to education. Xinjiang has continuously increased the proportion of women receiving higher education and vocational education, opened up various forms of adult higher continuing education, and expanded women’s access to education. We are actively implementing the “Spring Bud Plan” and other public welfare projects to ensure that the girls of poverty-stricken families of all ethnic groups have the right to education.

Next, Yipa’erguli Yiming, a college student, will share her views with us.

Photo taken on October 11, 2021 shows Yipa’erguli Yiming speaks at the 57th Press Conference on Xinjiang-related Issues in Beijing.

Yipa’erguli Yiming: My name is Yipa’erguli Yiming. I am 24 years old and I come from Hotan city. I graduated from Xinjiang Vocational and Technical College of Construction, majoring in Electrical Engineering Technology. Now I am an employee of a science and technology company.

The financial conditions in my family are not very good. When I was in high school, the cadres of Women’s Federation in my community helped me apply for the public welfare project of “Spring Bud Plan”. Since 2012, I have enjoyed an annual subsidy of 1500 yuan for three consecutive years, allowing me to successfully graduate from high school and enter the college.

In the college, I can also receive 1000 yuan of financial aid every year. In 2017, because of my excellent academic performance, I also won a scholarship of 6000 yuan. My growth is inseparable from the “Spring Bud Plan” and the national student aiding policy.

This picture shows my third time to enjoy the "Spring Bud Plan" before graduating from high school. This is me. The students and friends beside me are also the beneficiaries of this public welfare project. They are now working.

This is my certificate of scholarship in college. I feel very lucky to live in such a good era. I also believe that tomorrow I will have a better life.

Ayinu’er Maihesaiti: In terms of protecting women’s equal employment rights in accordance with the law, women of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang choose occupations according to their own wishes, sign labor contracts according to law which determines employment relationship. The rights to labor remuneration, rest and vacation, labor safety and health protection, and social insurance are fully guaranteed, and the legitimate rights and interests of women in the stage of pregnancy, childbirth and lactation are also fully guaranteed. So women of all ethnic groups are working and living freely and in a comfortable mood. Today, the scale of women’s employment in Xinjiang continues to expand. In 2019, there was an increase of 480,900 jobs in urban area including 228100 women employees, accounting for 47.43%.

Now we will invite Yilimunu’er Kairimula, an employee in Hotan Universe Carpet Co., Ltd, to share her view.

Photo taken on October 11, 2021 shows Yilimunu’er Kairimula speaks at the 57th Press Conference on Xinjiang-related Issues in Beijing.

Yilimunu’er Kairimula: Hello, everyone. My name is Yilimunu’er Kairimula. I’m from Tushala Town, Hotan city. I have been working in the carpet factory in our town since 2018, with a monthly salary of 3500 yuan. I’m happy that I can make money near my home and take care of my family at the same time.

Most of the employees in the factory are women from the nearby village, including college students like me and ordinary housewives. When they see that they can work and earn money in a place very close to their homes, they all take the initiative to apply for employment. We have signed labor contracts with the factory. We have insurance and stable income. We all like this job very much.

The environment in the factory is very good. There is a women workers’ committee and they often hold various activities. They always show their concern to us. When I first went to work, my child was very young. I could go back home to feed my child regularly every day. Especially for women who take maternity leave, salary can also be paid normally. Women during pregnancy and lactation can receive special protection and care.

We work hard and continuously improve our life. We work and live happily.

This is a small tapestry woven in our factory. It has both large and small size. The patterns and colors designed on it are very beautiful. The carpet sales are very good. The sales grow year by year. Our days are as colorful as this carpet.

Xu Guixiang: Facts have proved that with the continuous strengthening of the protection of women’s rights and interests in Xinjiang, the development environment for women of all ethnic groups has been continuously improved, the their education has been significantly improved, and their awareness of safeguarding rights in marriage, family and property has been significantly enhanced. With people’s livelihood being steadily improved, more and more women have actively participated in the economic and social construction of Xinjiang. They deserve the compliment of “women can hold up half of the sky”.

Xu Guixiang: Recently, we noticed that Wall Street Journal reported that there was an “assimilation” campaign going on in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and that many detained Uygur businessmen’s properties, which are worth tens of millions dollars of had been confiscated and auctioned. They listed two examples to illustrate their points. Let’s welcome Mr. Elijan Anayat to give us relevant information on that issue.

Photo taken on October 11, 2021 shows Elijan Anayat, spokesman of People’s Government of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region speaks at the 57th Press Conference on Xinjiang-related Issues in Beijing.

Elijan Anayat: The above mentioned accusation made by Wall Street Journal is sheer groundless talk. It is a serious betrayal of journalist ethics and deviation from objective and just reporting. The cases they listed cannot be more distant from truth.

For example, the case of the affluent Uygur businessman Abudujilili Hailili reported by Wall Street Journal. After verification, Abudujilili Hailili, 57, Uygur ethnicity, is charged with the crime of terrorism and under investigation. It is a civil case that his properties have been auctioned. In 2015, Abudujilili Hailili borrowed 50 million yuan from Xinjiang Kashgar Rural Commercial Bank Co., Ltd. and signed the No. G2015-0083 Liquidity Loan Contract as well as the No. 2015-0083 Maximum Mortgage Contract with the bank. The contracts stipulate that Abudujili Hailili transfers the land use right and housing ownership of the proprieties at the no.1 commercial district of Id Kah Bazzar on North Jiefang Road, Kashgar to the bank as the maximum mortgage guarantee of borrowing 50 million yuan from the bank.

After the maturity of the loan, Abudujili Hailili paid the principal, 10 million yuan to Kashgar Rural Commercial Bank of Xinjiang on October 28, 2016, but did not pay the remaining principal and interest. Therefore, Kashgar Rural Commercial Bank lodged a prosecution to the Intermediate People’s Court of Kashgar. The court made the verdict that Abudujili Hailili repays the 40 million yuan principal to Xinjiang Kashgar Rural Commercial Bank Co., Ltd. and pays Xinjiang Kashgar Rural Commercial Bank Co., Ltd. the interest as of May 4, 2017 totaling 441390.92 yuan according to the provisions of the Contract Law of the People’s Republic of China, Article 107, Article 198, Article 205, Article 207; Guarantee Law of the People’s Republic of China, Article 18, Article 31, Article 33; Property Law of the People’s Republic of China, Article 176, Article 179, and Civil Procedure Law of the People’s Republic of China, Article 142. Abudujili Hailili assumes mortgage guarantee liability on the above two debts to the plaintiff Xinjiang Kashgar Rural Commercial Bank. Xinjiang Kashgar Rural Commercial Bank Co., Ltd. enjoys priority in compensation of the properties registered at the no.1 commercial district of Id Kah Bazzar on North Jiefang Road, Kashgar if the land use right and housing ownership are to be sold in discount or auctioned, or sold to others.

After the ruling came into force, Abudujilili Haili refused to execute the judgment. Therefore, the plaintiff Kashgar Rural Commercial Bank applied to the Kashgar Intermediate People’s Court for mandatory enforcement. On September 2, 2020, in accordance with Article 244 and Article 247 of the Civil Procedure Law of the People’s Republic of China, the Intermediate People’s Court of Kashgar auctioned the land use right at the no.1 commercial district of Id Kah Bazzar on North Jiefang Road, Kashgar in public. Chen Chuhong won the bid with the highest offer. The contributions obtained from the auction have been returned to the applicant according to law.

Another example, Wall Street Journal reported a case about Omerjan Hemdul’s two brothers named Ruzi and Memet. Omerjan Hemdul is living in Turkey. After verification, the real name for Ruzi is Rouzi Aimudu, 47 years old, Uygur ethnicity. He is convicted of multiple felonies including assistance in terrorist activities, incitement of ethnic hatred, ethnic discrimination, the use of superstitions to undermine the law, the gathering of people to disrupt social order, the crime of bigamy, the crime of organizing others to steal across the country (border), the crime of forging documents of State organs. Therefore, he is under imprisonment for 25 years and all his personal properties have been confiscated in accordance with the law. The real name for Memet is Maimaiti Aimudu, 39 years old, Uygur ethnicity. He is put to prison for the crime of assisting terrorist activities, the crime of using superstition to undermine the law, the crime of incitement to national hatred, the crime of ethnic discrimination, and the crime of gathering people to disturb social order. He was sentenced to 25 years of imprisonment and all his personal properties have been confiscated. The sentence of property confiscation for the two criminals is strictly implemented in accordance with China’s laws.

We noticed that the source of this report by Wall Street Journal was from Omerjan Hemdul, who is living in Turkey. After verification, we found that his real name is Yuemai’er Aimudula. He once used the name Aimudula Youma’er. He is 31 years old, Uygur and is a member of the E TIM and an outlaw who has been listed as “wanted” by public security organ of China online. From December, 2018 till now, Yuemai’er Aimudula has been scattering falsehoods when interviewed by foreign media or through social media platform such as Facebook. He once lied that “his father was persecuted to death”, which was in fact a complete different story. According to our gathered information, Yuemai’er Aimudula took his father to Saudi Arabia to cure the latter’s cerebral infarction and pneumonia on Sep. 24, 2012. Unfortunately, his father died on Nov. 17, 2012, due to his inadaptability to local climate, which worsened his pneumonia and led to dyspnoea and respiratory failure. He also lied about his mother’s arrest. In fact, his mother is living normally at her community under the care of her oldest daughter since she is crippled with dementia and unable to take care of herself.

Recently, Yuemai’er Aimudula lied again when interviewed by Wall Street Journal, accusing that “the Chinese government has its eyes on the affluent Uygur businessmen, accusing them of financing terrorism and that his brothers-Rouzi Aimudu and Maimaiti Aimudu’s donation to Korla mosque could made them the target of financing terrorism”. He attempted to absolve his brothers’ crimes through his lie. As a matter of fact, Article 20 of the Religious Affairs Regulations of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region provides that religious venues may receive donations from citizens in accordance with religious traditions and customs. The ruling made by the people’s court would never take the brothers’ donation to the mosques into conviction and sentencing. But Wall Street Journal took a terrorist’s lie so easily that they even made up a baseless story to publish, which made it clear that their smears are form political motives and their malicious purposes to discredit Xinjiang. In doing so, the reputation of Wall Street journal is also ruined.

What needs to be pointed out is that the rule of law underpins China’s counter-terrorism in Xinjiang. The Criminal Law of the People’s Republic of China stipulates that except the main punishment, convicts of the crimes of terrorism and extremism shall also be punished with penalty or property confiscation. The Criminal Procedure Law of the People’s Republic of China stipulates that if a criminal sentenced to a fine in a criminal judgment with legal effect fails to pay at the expiry of the term, the people’s court shall make compulsory payment. The judgment of confiscation of property is also executed by the people’s court. In the execution of the people’s court, if the property of the executed person needs to be changed, the executing agency of the people’s court should take auction, sale and other price-changing measures according to law. The people’s court shall demand the payment when the person being executed invests or buys property with the stolen money or property. If compulsory payment is still unable to be fully paid, the people’s court shall at any time, including after the completion of the execution of the principal punishment, demands the payment back whenever it finds the person subjected to execution has property for execution. The Criminal Procedure Law of the People’s Republic of China also has clear regulations in terms of the execution procedure. In specific stipulations, the judicial organ shall always under the principles of law-based judgment and law to be the only criterion in ruling, adhere to innocent unless proven to be guilty and rule with evidence and sentencing according to law. All legal cases shall be judged by the criterion of its standard. No one will be wronged, nor be spared. In Xinjiang, whatever your ethnicity, as long as you are a law-abiding citizen, your legitimate rights and interests will be fully protected. But for those who are involved in terrorism under the cover of business, whatever your ethnicity, shall severely punished in accordance with the law.

Xu Guixiang: In recent years, some emigrated people have been acting as pioneers in anti-China by colluding with all kinds of anti-China forces. They are condemned by all the people in Xinjiang. Xu Xiuzhong and Li Xin are among them. I will introduce the relevant information to reveal their ugly faces.

First, about Xu Xiuzhong.

Xu Xiuzhong, female, Han ethnicity, born in Jiayuguan City, Gansu Province. She was enrolled by Communication University of China through independent recruitment and migrated overseas later. At present, she serves at the notorious Australian Institute of Strategic Policy as analyst.

In March 2020, she fabricated the anti-China report Uygurs To Be Sold “re-education, forced labor and surveillance outside Xinjiang. In this report, she lied that there were at least 80 thousand Uygurs forced to be transferred to inland provinces to work from 2017 to 2019. And that this was a “forced labor” aiming at Uygur people and an extension of the “re-education” policy.

However, Xu has never been to Xinjiang at all. The so-called evidence she gathered from satellite runs opposite with the facts. As a matter of fact, the transfer of rural and urban surplus working force has been carrying out under the principle of willingness. No one will be forced to work in other places. And it has nothing to do with vocational training and education.

Secondly, about Li Xin.

Li Xin, female, born in Nanning City, Guangxi Province. She migrated to Sweden with her mother at 10. In October 2020, she established the fashion brand “Louis Xin High Couture” in Sweden as CEO and creative director of the company.

Recently, Li deliberately arranged the model to hold the slogan “Free Uygur: end all the genocides” and incited people to resist the so-called “forced labor” in Xinjiang when attending the online fashion week in Sweden. She claimed to have gathered the relevant information on the so-called “re-education camp” and “genocide” in Xinjiang through a key member of the East Turkestan Organization and Uygur Movement-Ju’er Yilihamu and decided to voice for Uygur people through this fashion show.

As far as we know, since she left China at 10, Li Xin has never landed on China’s soil again, not to mention the visit to Xinjiang. Her knowledge about Xinjiang comes from the fake news of some foreign media and the bias of anti-China forces. She knows nothing about the current situation in Xinjiang. In fact, according to the statistics of the 7^th national census, Xinjiang’s population, including that of ethnic minorities to which Uygur belong, has maintained a steady growth. There is no “genocide” whatsoever. People in Xinjiang choose their own professions and all the labor rights and interests are protected in accordance with the law. There doesn’t exist “forced labor”.

People like Xu Xiuzhong and Li Xin have no sense of shame but take pride in colluding with external East Turkestan Organization. They wantonly smear Xinjiang and discredit China in order to draw attention and earn fame and fortune. They have become the running dog of anti-China forces represented by the US, lost their dignity as a human being. They will be condemned by peoples of the world and their names will live in infamy. History and facts have proved that those who turned their back against home country, got involved in separation of their country all ended badly and will be cast aside by the people and judged by history.

Photo taken on October 11, 2021 shows the 57th Press Conference on Xinjiang-related Issues in Beijing.

Xu Guixiang: Next, let’s welcome journalists to raise your concerned questions. First of all, journalist from BskyB.

BskyB: A male who claimed to have worked in police department in Xinjiang told us during an interview that there were 900 thousand people detained in vocational education and training centers in Xinjiang. According to his statement, police officers’ detention order directly comes from superior officers, which doesn’t require legal evidence; detainees cannot eat nor go to toilet during the two days’ trip by train and can only drink from a bottle’s lid; guards and police officers hit the trainees(tie them up and crush on them , tie their limbs with fetters, put pipes in their mouths, pour water into them); detainees occasionally died from these beats. What’s your comment on that?

Xu Guixiang: Let’s welcome Mr. Elijan Anayat to answer this question.

Elijan Anayat: After hearing the depiction of the so-called police officer in Xinjiang, my reaction is “How far further could he go?” If convenient, you can provide us his relevant information for verification. We are willing to verify his real identity so that you will not be deceived by a liar and publish untrue reports. It happened before that some people claimed to be police officers and fabricated stories about vocational education and training centers. For instance, in 2019, a Xinjiang residence living in abroad named Bayimulati Zhumuhai claimed to have served as auxiliary police officer in Qitai county, Changji Hui autonomous prefecture. He lied that “the party secretary of a village and the auxiliary police officers have so much power that they can arbitrarily sentence 3 people within their jurisdiction to death” and that trainees “were tortured”. According to our verification, this man-Bayimulati Zhumuhai-has never worked as auxiliary police officer, only a guard at south town market of Qitai county. He was demanded to leave the post for his habitual lying, disregard of working principles, violation of working regulations and failure to perform duty. He harbored grudges against his dismiss from work after he left China and began stigmatize China on different occasions. We hope that all the media friends can distinguish fake from real in your interviews. If needing our assistance to verify their identities, you can always contact us. I’d like to emphasize a few points here:

First, China is law-ruled country. In the investigation of criminal cases, the public security organs shall strictly abide by the application of coercive measures in accordance with laws such as Criminal Law of the People’s Republic of China and Criminal Procedure Law of the People’s Republic of China as well as relevant judicial interpretations and departmental regulations. Illegal detention, torture and extortion of confessions are strictly prohibited to safeguard the lawful rights of detainees according to law. For example, when criminal detention of a criminal suspect is required, the investigators should present a report, which is reviewed by both the case handling department (unit) and the legal system department. Criminal detention measures can only be taken after the examination and approval of the public security organ. Outside the public security organs, there is the procuratorial organs approval system. If it is necessary to take arrest measures against criminal suspects, after investigating and collecting evidence, the public security organs request the procuratorial organs to make the decision to approve or not to approve arrest according to the arrest conditions stipulated by law and whether it is necessary to arrest. The public security organs have no right to decide to arrest. At the same time, the public security organs will also strictly protect the rights of criminal suspects in the process of escorting. The claims that “detention order comes directly from the request of superior officers and doesn’t require evidence” and “the prisoners are forbid to eat or go to toilet and can only drink water from a bottle’s lid” cannot be further away from truth.

Secondly, the vocational education and training centers in Xinjiang fully implement the basic principles on respecting and protecting human rights stipulated by the Constitution and laws. The dignity of trainees are fully protected. It is forbidden to insult or maltreat trainees in any way. What the so-called police officer in Xinjiang has said could never occur in Xinjiang. At the previous press conferences on Xinjiang-related issues, many trainees told their own stories to disclose the lies of “trainees under harsh torture” made by the US and other anti-China forces.

Thirdly, the number of trainees in vocational education and training centers is dynamic. Meanwhile, according to the stipulations of relevant laws and regulations, it is the people’s government at or above county level that is responsible to set up vocational education and training centers. Therefore, there isn’t any specific department to calculate the statistics at the autonomous region level. I have no idea where the conclusion “there were 900,000 people detained in vocational education and training centers” by the so-called police officer in Xinjiang comes from? As for the allegation made by the US and other western anti-China forces that “millions of Uygurs are detained in vocational education and training centers” is even more ridiculous. The US independent news investigation website Gray Zone once published an article to disclose this horrifying fake news was fabricated and spread by the NGO-China’s Human Rights Defender Network-supported by the US government together with Germany anti-China scholar Adrian Zenz.

Xu Guixiang: Next, let’s welcome journalist from MASTV to raise question.

MASTV: Recently, China’s Permanent Mission to the UN and the people’s government of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region held a joint online video exchange meeting themed “Xinjiang Is a Good Place”. Can relevant party in Xinjiang introduce us some detailed information and the public responses? In addition, what’s the latest information on the prevention and convention of Covid-19 in Ili Preference? Are there still tourists held up there? What are the measures taken to place them?

Xu Guixiang: To answer your first question. On Sep. 29, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region jointed China’s Permanent Mission to the UN to hold the video exchange conference themed “Xinjiang Is A Good Place”. China’s Permanent Mission to the UN invited over 120 people to attend the meeting. Among them are the ambassadors and diplomats of Pakistan, Russia, Eritrea, Saudi Arabia, Cuba, Iran, Morocco, Syria and other countries’ permanent to the United Nations and officials of United Nations agencies, media journalists from home and abroad, as well as representatives of non-governmental organizations. The meeting was live broadcast on United Nations Web TV and watched by nearly a thousand delegates to the United Nations. Among them, the Permanent Ambassadors and Representatives of Pakistan, Russia, Eritrea, Saudi Arabia, Cuba, Iran, Morocco and Syria to the United Nations praised the achievements made in Xinjiang’s stability and development and refuted the accusations of the US and certain western anti-China forces. Attendees of the meeting also expressed to China’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations that the videoconferencing was rich in content and varied in form and that they have gained a lot of first-hand information about Xinjiang. The conference was a strong rebuttal against Xinjiang-related fake news.

XiaoKaiti Yiming, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the People’s Congress of XUAR, Li Xuejun, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the People’s Congress of XUAR, Zumureti Wubuli, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the People’s Congress of XUAR, Nuremu Simayihan, Vice Chairman of the Political Consultative Conference of XUAR, participated in the meeting. Abudurekefu Tumuniyazi, President of the Xinjiang Islamic Institute, students from the vocational education and training center, victims of terrorist attacks, female representatives and foreigners in Xinjiang introduced the current information in Xinjiang from multiple aspects and dimensions. Their simple and natural stories touched the participants of the conference and won their unanimous approval.

On your second question. According to the latest report of the Health Commission of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, as of 2400 UTC October 10, there is one confirmed case in Xinjiang (the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps included), in Horgos City, Ili Prefecture; 4 asymptomatic cases, 2 cases in Horgos City, Ili Prefecture, and 2 cases in 62 Regiment of the Fourth Division of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps.

To ensure that tourists held up in Ili Prefecture have a safe and orderly departure from Ili, counties and cities of Ili Prefecture established specialized service support working group for held up passengers. The service support teams timely counted the numbers of tourists who had not been to Horgos and 62 Regiments, organized two nucleic acid tests within 48 hours before they depart from Ili, and provided negative reports on the test results. Timely issue of flights information. The groups collected the tourists flights information and designated vehicles to transfer them to airports. For those inland cities’ tourists who wishes to go to the airport on their own, communities at grassroots level arranged taxis or the community’s transportation to make sure the tourists can board on time. For the self-driving passengers, according to the unified arrangement, the communities arranged special vehicles from designated locations in batches guiding them to the Guozigou Expressway for departure, and provided the tourists with food and mineral water.

Since October 7, Ili Kazak Prefecture has been doing a good job in placing stranded tourists and arranging their trip for hometown. They have been coordinating with departments of civil aviation and expressways and taking effective measures to make sure all the stranded tourists can leave in order. According to the latest news, more than 5,000 stranded tourists from inland cities have departed from Ili.

Xu Guixiang: Friends from media, we will end today’s press conference now. Thanks for your participation. Goodbye!