Photo taken on November 29, 2021 shows the press conference on refuting "forced labor" by Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in Urumqi, capital of XUAR. Photo by Xinjiang Daily/ Tang Yong

On November 29th, 2021, the special press conference of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on refuting "forced labor" was held in Urumqi. Experts and scholars, heads of relevant associations and employees of cotton industry were invited to tell the stories of their better life through labor at the scene, and they have effectively refuted the lie and fallacy of "forced labor" fabricated by anti-China forces in the United States and the West.

Photo taken on November 29, 2021 shows Hu Zhichun, the hostess of the press conference on refuting "forced labor" by Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Photo by Xinjiang Daily/ Tang Yong

Hu Zhichun: Good morning, dear fellow media reporters! Welcome to the press conference of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. I'm Hu Zhichun, the hostess of this press conference.

First of all, please allow me to introduce the participants in today's press conference. They are Gurisan, a professor of the Department of Chemistry and Applicative Chemistry in Changji College, An Tao, the Vice President of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Committee of China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, Abdureyimu Abdurehman, the Deputy Director of Improved Seed Farm in Shache County of Kashgar Region, Tuniyaz Yashen, a cotton farmer of Kara’Tale Town of Aksu City in Aksu Region, Kong Hailong, the Head of Wusu Guosheng Textile Co,Ltd., Tacheng Region, Memetti Asimu, a migrant worker in Baicheng County of Aksu Region, Memettiryimu Nansertin, a migrant worker who seeks outward opportunities in Aktao County of Kizilsu Kirgiz Autonomous Prefecture, Abdurisitti Aburay, the Hatifu(Host of Ceremony) of Zhuma Mosque in Tijian Village of Azak Town in Atux City of Kizilsu Kirgiz Autonomous Prefecture, and Aniwar Azatti, the Director of Xinjiang New social stratum Fellowship Federation and the the General Manager of Ai’yueqing Culture Media Co,Ltd.. Welcome all of you for joining us!

Next, I would like to make some personal comments on the Xinjiang-related fallacy of "forced labor" created by anti-China forces in the United States and the West.

For some time, the United States, which boasts itself as “The Beacon of Freedom", "The Defender of Human Rights" and "The Paradise of Freedom", has talked nonsense on the labor issue in Xinjiang and won over some countries to impose sanctions on Xinjiang. This is a very absurd hegemonic logic.

As we all know, as early as the beginning of the 20th century, some capitalist powers in the world pursued colonialism and carried out large-scale and serious forced labor, slavery and exploitation of colonial countries. In this context, the International Labour Organization has promoted Member States to formulate a series of conventions. Among them, paragraph 1 of Article 2 of the Forced Labour Convention of 1930 (No. 29) clearly stipulates that "forced labor" refers to: "Forcing anyone to engage in all labor or services that are not his own free will under the threat of any punishment." The definition mainly includes three elements: "Threat with Punishment", "Involuntary" and "Unlimited Subject". Article 1, paragraph 3, of the 2014 protocol to the 1930 Forced Labour Convention further clarifies that trafficking in persons for the purpose of obtaining labour is also forced labour. It can be seen that judging whether there is "forced labor" should follow the clear definition and strict standards of the international community, and it cannot be determined by the words of some people and the subjective imagination of some so-called human rights institutions.

Xinjiang adheres to the people-centered concept for its development, and it has formulated a series of active labor and employment policies to create conditions for people of all ethnic groups to work with dignity under the sunshine. These are in line with the common values of human society, the reality of economic and social development in Xinjiang, as well as the good wishes of the people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang to live a happy life. They are all beyond reproach. With the people of all ethnic groups fully realizing stable, sustainable and long-term employment, their income level, quality of life and spiritual outlook have all undergone extensive and profound changes. For example, the per capita annual income of workers in Xinjiang who seeks transferred employment outside Xinjiang is about 40,000 yuan, which is basically equivalent to the disposable income of local urban permanent residents. The per capita annual income of workers who seeks transferred employment within Xinjiang is about 30,000 yuan, which is much higher than the original income when they were still farming at home. Nowadays, people's "money bags" are getting more and more full. The smile on their faces is more and more brilliant, the mood is more and more comfortable, and the days are more and more prosperous. The north and south of Tianshan Mountain has formed a gratifying scene that every family has a fortune, everyone has something to do, and every month there’s an income for them to see.

Hu Zhichun: Now, let's invite Gurisan, a professor of the Department of Chemistry and Applicative Chemistry of Changji College, to introduce the relevant situation.

Photo taken on November 29, 2021 shows Gurisan speaks at the press conference on refuting "forced labor" by Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Photo by Xinjiang Daily/ Tang Yong

Gurisan: Hello everyone! My name is Gurisan, and I’m a professor of Chemistry and Applicative Chemistry Department of Changji College. For some time, some anti-China forces in the United States and the West have deliberately slandered the human rights situation in Xinjiang, and they have used the lie of so-called "forced labor" to attack us in a vain attempt to hinder our economic and social development. The lies and fallacies they racked their brains to concoct are completely out of nothing! As a female Uygur teacher in a college of Xinjiang, I feel extremely ridiculous about the absurd remarks of the anti-China forces in the United States and the West, and I feel extremely indigna nt at their shameless acts of smearing Xinjiang! Their statements are totally groundless and untenable. The people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang have complete freedom of labor and employment. The people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang are all living a happy life. There is no "forced labor" in Xinjiang at all!

Today, Xinjiang has undergone earth-shaking changes, and it is in the best period of prosperous development in its history. The north and south of Tianshan Mountain presents a good situation of social stability, economic prosperity, ethnic unity, religious harmony, improvement of people's livelihood and peace and contentment in people’s lives and work. The income level of the people of all ethnic groups is rising. The quality of their lives is getting higher and higher, and the senses of gain, happiness, security have been significantly enhanced. Take my family for an example, they are all doing their favorite jobs with good wages. After college graduation, I returned to Changji. I found a good job and enjoyed a rich salary through independent job selection. Every day, my whole family goes to and from work happily, and we work, play and live with colleagues of all ethnic groups. We are as close as a family, and we are all creating happiness through labor.

Take my twinning relatives, the Pattiguli family, for another example. Over the years, they have lived a colorful life through their own labor, and their spirits and attitudes have also changed greatly. What she said most to me was the national policy of benefiting and enriching the people, which not only allowed their family to enjoy free medical treatment and education, but also let them live in spacious and bright houses, use the Internet, and buy sofas and some household appliances like those people living in the city. Besides, they have also lay floor tiles on the ground of their house. In 2021, their family's income nearly doubled compared with that in 2020, and raising pigeons and chickens has increased the family's economic income by about 10,000 yuan. They can also work not so far from home ,and her husband also start to have a stable income. Furthermore, her son was admitted to Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications this year, and her two daughters in junior middle school have also received living subsidies of 1,500 yuan and 680 yuan respectively from the government. Every time when it comes to these, Pattiguli's face is always filled with a smile that is full of happiness and satisfaction. Since I paired up with her in 2016, I have witnessed many great changes in her family. Now, she and her family are getting better and better, and they’re just one of the many beneficiaries of the stability and development achievements of Xinjiang.

There is no doubt that in today's Xinjiang, people of all ethnic groups are working with dignity in the sunshine. They can choose their own employment and entrepreneurship independently, and they are all creating their happy lives. As a Uygur, I want to say to those people with ulterior motives: You have never been to Xinjiang, but you criticize and slander Xinjiang wantonly. What is your intention? The lie of "forced labor" concocted by you is a complete slander and vicious attempt of attack. It is a great harm to the people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang. What you have done is nothing more than to place the masses of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang in poverty, isolation and backwardness, so as to achieve a political plot to undermine the stability of Xinjiang and disrupt China. What you do, in the face of powerful facts, will only let people all over the world see your ugly face, and will only make yourselves suffer from the consequences of your own evil!

Hu Zhichun: Thanks Professor Gurisan for the introduction. Next, let's invite An Tao, the Vice President of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Committee of China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, to introduce the relevant situation.

Photo taken on November 29, 2021 shows An Tao speaks at the press conference on refuting "forced labor" by Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Photo by Xinjiang Daily/ Tang Yong

An Tao: Hello everyone! My name is An Tao, and I’m the Vice President of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Committee of China Council for the Promotion of International Trade.

In recent years, the Anti-China forces in the United States and the West have deliberately fabricated the crime of "forced labor" and continued to suppress and sanction the cotton, textile and garment supply chain in Xinjiang. This has seriously damaged the reputation of Xinjiang's cotton textile industry and caused adverse effects. Recently, the Anti-China forces in the United States and the West have ignored the facts and publicly accused Xinjiang of the so-called "forced labor" problem. For this, we, the Xinjiang Council for the Promotion of International Trade, strongly condemn and resolutely oppose it!

Protecting and safeguarding the reputation of Xinjiang's foreign trade enterprises and the legitimate rights and interests of workers of all ethnic groups according to law is an important mission of Xinjiang Council for the Promotion of International Trade. Rumors and slanders by Anti-China forces in the United States and the West have seriously damaged the interests of Xinjiang's textile and garment enterprises, as well as the reputation and personal dignity of workers of all ethnic groups. In fact, the cotton planting, textile and garment industry in Xinjiang has always regarded the protection of labor rights as one of the basic contents of safeguarding human dignity and human rights. It protects the labor rights of people of all ethnic groups according to law, actively practices international labor and human rights standards, fully respects the wishes of workers, and strives to improve the working environment and working conditions. There is no "forced labor" at all.

In Xinjiang, farmers grow things according to their own will. Compared with growing grain, the economic income of planting cotton is higher, and farmers' enthusiasm for planting cotton is also higher thanks to this. From sowing to harvesting and then to selling, all links are free and independent, and there is no reason or need for any interference and coercion. Cotton production in Xinjiang has long been highly mechanized. Even in the busy picking season, there is no need for a large number of "cotton pickers". According to relevant data, the mechanical picking rate of cotton in Xinjiang has reached 80% in 2021. With the popularization of machine picking cotton, the labor force for picking cotton is greatly reduced, and there couldn’t be any trace of "forced labor".

The textile and clothing enterprises in Xinjiang have always set priority on staff's own willingness,protecting staff's chances and rights to find their jobs according to the law.They dedicate themselves to creating a fair,free and secure working environment all along in order to attract staff from different ethnic groups, especially someone who comes from the minority groups, arouse their positivity, initiative and creativity so as to improve their working skills as well as their cutural quality. Most importantly, it would let the long-term development of corporation and the individual development greatly combine with each other. The textile and clothing enterprises treat workers from different ethnic groups, different genders, and different religions fairly through self-recruitment. The corporates sign contracts of labor with workers, and provides fair salary and great working as well as living environment for the workers, and they also provide halal food for the workers coming from the minority groups in order to make sure that they would be comfortable working, living and also letting their family set their mind at rest. All the corporates have set up labor unions so as to guarantee the legal rights of all staff, including the legal rights of minority groups. Some corporates even put BSCI, SLCP in place, and among them there are some corporates even have accepted and passed through the evaluation of human rights given by the third foreign party evaluation organization. For example, in 2019, Hua Fuse Textile Limited Company in Aksu went though the examination and verification of SLCP, and its index accuracy reached to 96.9%, which perfectly proves that there is no such so-called "forced labor" existing in this corporate.

The legal rights which belong to workers from all of the minority groups working in textile and clothing corporates in Xinjiang have been guaranteed. All of the people from minority groups have rights to choose jobs on their own. After they make up their mind to work in the textile and clothing corporates in Xinjiang, all of them are willing to sign contracts of labor with the corporates, and to establish the labor relationship with the corporates which is under the protection of law. There are no any limitation which puts on their freedom. Ethnic minority employees enjoy equal pay for equal work and equal social insurance for their pension, medical care, unemployment, industrial injury, childbirth and so on; the customs, freedom of religious belief and use of their ethnic language are fully respected and guaranteed. Many ethnic minority employees also introduced their relatives and friends of their hometown to work in textile and clothing enterprises after getting stable employment.

Facts have proven that the so-called "forced labor" of ethnic minorities in Xinjiang is a completely unreasonable lie that is inconsistent with the facts. Hereby, we strongly urge the anti-China forces of the United States and the West, including some western institutions and personnel to face up to the facts, put down their prejudice, immediately stop speculating on the so-called "forced labor" issue, and instantly stop imposing any restrictions on China's textile and clothing supply chain and related products in Xinjiang, and do not go further and further on the wrong road.

Hu Zhichun: Thanks Vice President An Tao for his introduction. Now, let us welcome Abdureyimu Abdurehman, the Deputy Director of Improved Seed Farm in Shache County of Kashgar Region to introduce the relevant situation.

Photo taken on November 29, 2021 shows Abdureyimu Abdurehman speaks at the press conference on refuting "forced labor" by Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Photo by Xinjiang Daily/ Tang Yong

Abdureyimu Abdurehman: My name is Abdureyimu Abdurehman who is the Deputy Director of Improved Seed Farm in Shache County of Kashgar Prefecture. I am a young ethnic minority man born in Xinjiang and raised in Xinjiang. I was very angry when I heard the western anti-China forces in the US talk about "forced labor" in Xinjiang! There are still such people in the world who ignore the facts, reverse black and white, and are quite unreasonable. They ignore the true feelings of the people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang, including people from the Uygur nationality. Their hypocritical and hideous faces have been exposed by their blatant "double standards".

As we all know, Xinjiang has unique natural conditions, because the temperature difference here in summer is large, as well as sufficient sunshine, sufficient photosynthesis, long time for cotton to grow, light occurrence of diseases and pests, so cotton here grows better. Since the establishment of our fine seed farm, we have been responsible for the growth of cotton seeds. In recent years, our country has implemented the popularization of agricultural machinery and tools, efficient water-saving irrigation and a series of good policies that are propitious to people, as well as the implementation of the land leveling, water-saving irrigation and a series of projects that are beneficial to us. The cotton fields have been leveled, water has been greatly conserved, mechanized planting degree has been improved, and a lot of farmers get benefits, so their enthusiasm for planting cotton, developing the cotton industry has skyrocketed.The 12,000 acres of cotton planting fields in our fine seed field, from sowing, film spreading, drip irrigation, watering, medicine, to fertilization, all of the procedures have reached mechanization. The yield of cotton is also increasing year by year. In 2020, the yield of cotton has reached 350-500 kilograms per acre.

The anti-China forces coming from the US and the West ignored objective facts and the words of the people from all ethnic groups in Xinjiang, and repeatedly fabricated lies and rumors about so-called "forced labor" in Xinjiang. They do not concern human rights in Xinjiang. They resist China's development, China's strength, and they certainly do not want to see Xinjiang achieve prosperity and stability! We grow our own land, make our own money, live our own stable and happy life, How come "force"would generate from any of these things? We must do our own current business well, live our own happy life, use fact that proves that we live a good and happy life to prove that those people with ulterior motives were wrong!

Hu Zhichun: Thank Abdureyimu Abdurehman for his saying, and next let us welcome Tuniyaz Yashen, a cotton farmer of Kara’Tale Town, Aksu City, Aksu Region to introduce the related situation.

Photo taken on November 29, 2021 shows Tuniyaz Yashen speaks at the press conference on refuting "forced labor" by Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Photo by Xinjiang Daily/ Tang Yong

Tuniyaz Yashen: My name is Tuniyaz Yashen, and I am 33 years old. I am a cotton farmer in Kara’Tale Town, Aksu City, Xinjiang Province. My family has 800 acres of cotton land and has an annual income of about 600,000 yuan. Our family now lives a happy life.

In 2006, I began to plant cotton with my father. At that time, cotton was planted by labor. When the sowing season came, we would pay special attention to the seeds. Planting, watering, weeding, spraying medicine, picking, each procedure was strictly in accordance with the season, so that the cotton would grow better and we would have a bigger harvest. In 2012, my father went out to learn a technology that is called drip irrigation, which is like putting a drip on the cotton, and it saves water and labor. After I realized the importance of scientific planting, I started learning the planting technology and management technology from the experienced farmers in our village whenever I had time. Now, my cotton production is getting higher and higher, and we would get a yield of around 350 kilos of cotton seeds per acre. I have also earned more and more money because of it.

In the past, a person could only manage 20 or 30 acres of land through labor, and the cost of workers would be more than 100,000 yuan annually for managing the land and pick up flowers. Now through mechanized planting, one person can manage 800 acres of my land. In March last year, I invited a friend from Sichuan who has great experience of management to help me manage the cotton land, and I only have to pay 8,000 yuan every month now. Through mechanized planting, the planting cost has been reduced and the production has been increased. Besides of the planting cost, the income can reach around 600,000 yuan a year, which saves great time and labor compared with the previous way of artificial picking.

By growing cotton, our family has lived a good life, and now we live in a clean and tidy house of 140 square meters, and I bought a building and a car in Kara’Tale county in recent two years. In addition, I also used the money I had saved to buy 350 sheep, which increases my income by more than 50,000 yuan a year. Planting cotton led our family to prosperity, I sincerely thank Xinjiang, this treasure land which grows Xinjiang cotton.

Recently, anti-China forces in the US and the West have fabricated rumors of "forced labor" in Xinjiang, which is pure nonsense.We know very clear in mind, only through our own labor can we live a good life. The white cotton in Xinjiang will not be polluted because of their slander. I want to ask them to put away their hypocrisy and do not disturb our beautiful life and destroy the excellent situation in Xinjiang.

Hu Zhichun:Thank Tuniyaz Yashen for his narration, now let us welcome Kong Hailong, the Head of Wusu Guosheng Textile Co,Ltd., Tacheng Region to introduce the related situation.

Photo taken on November 29, 2021 shows Kong Hailong speaks at the press conference on refuting "forced labor" by Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Photo by Xinjiang Daily/ Tang Yong

Kong Hailong: Hello, everyone. I am Kong Hailong, the head of Wusu Guosheng Textile Co., Ltd., Tacheng District. Some time ago, some foreign companies publicly slandered and boycotted Xinjiang cotton on the grounds that there was "forced labor" in the cotton industry in Xinjiang. Recently, the anti-China forces of the US and the West have once again attacked and smeared that there exists "forced labor" in Xinjiang, which is clearly a lie and fallacy, and our company has strongly against it!

Our company was registered in 2016, mainly producing ring ingot spinning yarn, which is very popular in the market outside Xinjiang and is always in short supply. Our company has advanced equipment, and it only needs more than 20 workers to get the production of 10,000 ingot yarn. At present, our company has more than 60 employees of all ethnic groups, of which ethnic minorities account for 67%. Our company recruits employees through the network or human resources market, and signs labor contracts with each employee according to law, and covers social security and medical insurance for them adhering to law. The monthly salary of skilled workers can reach about 5,000 yuan. Our company provides free food and accommodation for the staff. On every Roza Festival (Eid ul-Fitr), Corban Festival (Eid al-Adha), National Day and other important festivals, we will invite employees of all ethnic groups to dinner, and we would also carry out colorful cultural and sports activities for the employees. We would sing songs and dance together to celebrate the festival.

When the employees of all ethnic groups in our company heard about the slander of the existence of "forced labor" in Xinjiang made by the anti-China forces in the United States and the West, they were filled with indignation and refuted such defilement. Some said, "We all come to work voluntarily and send money home every month. Our family's life is getting better and better. Food, clothing and daily use are of higher grade than before." There are several sisters in our village who also want to work in my company to earn money. " Some said, "I go out to work in order to earn more money and live a better life, and it has nothing to do with what people abroad call 'forced labor'." Others said: "those people abroad do not know the real situation at all, and they also,do not want to know the real situation in Xinjiang. They just want to make us lose our job in order to ruin our happy life, and leave us with no work and no food." It is truly shameful and hateful for them to do so. "

The false remarks made by the anti-China forces in the United States and the West are complete lies. They should tell their own history of how American cotton farmers forced blacks to engage in cotton production in their own estates which contains full of blood and tears. Their words and deeds will certainly be condemned by the sons and daughters of 25.85 million ethnic groups in Xinjiang, they will certainly be spurned by the 1.4 billion Chinese people, and all slanders and lies will certainly be exposed! Come and visit our enterprises, and you will understand that "forced labor" is a shameless lie. Their despicable purpose will never succeed! No external force can destroy the harmony and stability of Xinjiang, ruin the unity and stop the progress of the people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang, and obliterate the objective fact of the progress of human rights in Xinjiang. Cotton in Xinjiang will never allowed to be smeared, and the prosperity and development of Xinjiang will never to be sullied !

Hu Zhichun: Thanks for the saying by Kong Hailong. Now let us welcome Memetti Asimu, a migrant worker in Baicheng County, Aksu Region to introduce related situation.

Photo taken on November 29, 2021 shows Memetti Asimu speaks at the press conference on refuting "forced labor" by Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Photo by Xinjiang Daily/ Tang Yong

Memetti Asimu: My name is Memetti Asimu. I’m 46-year-old, and I come from Baicheng County, Aksu Region.

In February 2012, after seeing a recruitment information of a company, I applied for a position in this company and became a driver because the company has good working environment and gives us high salary. After years of hard work, I now serve as the leader of the convoy for the company, who is mainly responsible for the management of it.

When I just entered the company, the company signed a labor contract with me, paid "Five Insurances and One Fund", and provided me with staff dormitory. In addition, the company's welfare is particularly good: During the Spring Festival, the Dragon Boat Festival, Eid ul-Fitr, Eid al-Adha and other festivals, the company will not only give us some time to rest, but they will also send us some holiday gifts. In June 2012, my wife joined the company to engage in greening work because of the sound atmosphere and good welfare. The company provided a standard couple room with heating, private bathroom, 24 hours hot water, WIFI and so forth for us. The environment is just very comfortable.

My wife and I have been working in this company for 9 years with a monthly income of more than 12,000 yuan. We have settled in the city by buying a house which is measured up to 88 square meters and we have also bought a car. Last year, I bought a new SUV for 120,000 yuan and planned to upgrade my house by buying a bigger one with an area of 100 square meters. Besides, last year, we should have paid 15,000 yuan for my wife's treatment fee during her hospitalization. However, thanks for the medical insurance reimbursement, we only spent 1,800 yuan eventually.

From a ordinary driver to a leader, the company gives us good opportunities to get promotion. As long as you are pragmatic, willing to work and make efforts, you will be definitely rewarded. I now have a satisfactory job and a harmonious family. My wife and I deeply appreciate the company for offering us good jobs. Now,with the continual economic development in Baicheng County, many big firms have been attracted to make investments and establish factories, which creates more jobs for our villagers. My friends around have all live a better life through their endeavors.

The right to choose and obtain employment of people from all ethnic groups is fully secured in Xinjiang. Besides, our rights, such as the right to labor remuneration , rest and leisure, are all protected by law. Therefore, there is no any existence of the so-called"forced labour" in Xinjiang. But, the Anti-China forces from the United States and other western countries are not willing to see us live a better life. They spread rumors and slander China on the pretext of the so-called"forced labor". People living in Xinjiang have correct telling of this and we will never be cheated by these rumors!

Hu Zhichun: Thanks for Memetti Asimu’s statement. Next, let’s welcome Memettiryimu Nansertin, a migrant worker who seeks outward opportunities in Aktao County, Kizilsu Kirgiz Autonomous Prefecture, to introduce relevant situation.

Photo taken on November 29, 2021 shows Memettiryimu Nansertin speaks at the press conference on refuting "forced labor" by Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Photo by Xinjiang Daily/ Tang Yong

Memettiryimu Nansertin: Hello,everyone! My name is Memettiryimu Nansertin from Aktao County, Kizilsu Kirgiz Autonomous Prefecture. I used to find a job in an appliance company in Cixi City, Zhejiang Province. Today, I would like to tell you something about my life beyond Xinjiang.

Several years ago, I saw a recruitment information of an appliance company located at Cixi City, Zhejiang Province on the publicity column of the village committee. It said that the company offered high salary and insurances, hence I decided to apply for the position. I signed the labor contract with the company upon arriving at Cixi City. The company provided us with good living conditions by offering free dormitory equipped with toiletries, bedding, TV, air conditioner and other furniture and appliance. Considering the customs and habits of the ethnic minorities, the company opened a halal restaurant specially and employed two cooks who are good at making Xinjiang dishes.

I would chat with my family or work out in the company's gym during my spare time. On weekends, I would also hang out for shopping or watching movies with my colleagues, or go to tourist attractions like the West Lake in Hangzhou and the Shanghai Tung. We all like Cixi City which has moister climate, beautiful environment and nice people. Each year the company would arrange to leave for family visit and reimburse the round trip fare. After returning home, we often paid a visit to our parents, help them with farm works and tell them about the fresh news happened beyond Xinjiang.

Seeing my monthly income of more than 4,000 yuan, several friends of mine in the village all envied me. They asked me whether the company was still in need of workers. I told the manager about their idea of longing for working here. The manager traveled thousands of miles to recruit workers in Aktao County, and my friends all applied for positions in this company. We could live together again. At that time, my objective was to learn more vocational skills and earn more money, so as to start my own business.

But later, I returned home because I needed to take care of my elderly parents. I opened a maintenance store with lines of repairing motorcars and motor pedals by using the money and technologies obtained in the company. As a result of my good skills and integrity management, the maintenance store's business was getting better and better. Later, my brother and I planned to open an electric cycle assembly factory, and I asked him to learn technology from an electrical company in Hangzhou. After my brother returned from company, I told my idea of starting a business to the government of Aktao County which was very supportive and provided me with a 500-square-meter factory for free. With the help of the government, my brother and I invested 200,000 yuan to start an agricultural electric tricycle assembly company. We took the lead in getting rich with annual income of 150,000 yuan to 160,000 yuan.

Some foreign people say we are forced to work and we are monitored beyond Xinjiang, which is sheer nonsense. It is our freedom to work in everywhere of our country. Who doesn't want to go beyond Xinjiang where we can make more money and has good living condition. If we are forced and monitored, how could my brothers and my friends be introduced there? I’d also seen foreigners work in Zhejiang Province, were they also forced to work there?

Hu Zhichun: Thanks for Memettiryimu Nansertin’s statement. Next, let’s welcome Abdurisitti Aburay, the Hatifu(Host of Ceremony) of Zhuma Mosque, Tijian Village, Azak Town, Atush City, Kizilsu Kirgiz Autonomous Prefecture, to introduce the relevant situation.

Photo taken on November 29, 2021 shows Abdurisitti Aburay speaks at the press conference on refuting "forced labor" by Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Photo by Xinjiang Daily/ Tang Yong

Abdurisitti Aburay: Hello,everyone. My name is Abdurisitti Aburay, the Hatifu(Host of Ceremony) of Zhuma Mosque, Tijian Village, Azak Town, Atush City, Kizilsu Kirgiz Autonomous Prefecture. I am 30 years old now. I was born in an ordinary peasant family. My father is a religious person in the village. My mother is a authentic peasant. My wife is a nurse working in Xinjiang People’s Hospital of Kizilsu Kirgiz Autonomous Prefecture. I have also got a cute daughter who’s 1 year old this year.

In recent years, with the care of the government, numerous policies of benefiting people have brought significant changes to my hometown. Each family lives in a spacious and bright affordable housing with network covering everywhere. Straight and flat asphalt road with street lamps installed on both sides of it was built in front of the house. All of us have enjoyed free medical check-ups and good medical conditions. Labour does create better life. Some villagers choose to work away from hometown, and some of them choose to start up their own business nearby, while others keep cattle and sheep at home or plant fruits, vegetables and so on. All in all, everyone is striving for a happy life through their own endeavors. Take myself for an example: In addition to serve as a religious personnel in mosque, I start a food and oil store in the village with annual income about more than 20,000yuan. And I also plant grapes and figs with annual income of more than 40,000yuan. My family now lives a happy life.

The anti-china forces from the United States and western countries slander China on the pretext of “Xinjiang Uygurs are suffering oppression and ‘forced labour’”, which makes me furious. Do we need to be forced to live a good life? Don’t we know how to live a prosperous and comfortable life? Nobody could force us if we don’t want opportunities presented in front of us to create a better life. Whoever believing this false proposition is a real fool. We do labour because we are diligent and brave in an effort to create happy life through our hands. People of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang love life and never stop pursuing happiness. Therefore, the participation in labor and employment is entirely voluntary. It is the people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang that have the utmost say in the issues about Xinjiang. We see extremely clear their evil intentions and we will by no means fall for it. On this occasion, I wish to warn solemnly rumormongers that none of your rumors could erase the facts and your conspiracies are bound to fail.

Hu Zhichun: Thanks for Abdurisitti Aburay’s statement. Next,let’s welcome Aniwar Azatti, the Director of Xinjiang New Social Stratum Fellowship Federation and the the General Manager of Ai’yueqing Culture Media Co,Ltd., to introduce relevant situation.

Photo taken on November 29, 2021 shows Aniwar Azatti speaks at the press conference on refuting "forced labor" by Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Photo by Xinjiang Daily/ Tang Yong

Aniwar Azatti: Hello,everyone! My name is Aniwar Azatti. I am the Director of Xinjiang New Social Stratum Fellowship Federation and the the General Manager of Ai’yueqing Culture Media Co,Ltd and I am also a magician.

I was born and grew up in E’min County in Xinjiang, which has 28 different ethnic minorities. Since I was young, I have played and studied with my ethnic little companions and fostered profound friendships with them. Until now, I still keep in touch with many of my friends, and we send greetings to each other upon holiday. As an ethnic folk artist, I not only set up Xinjiang Ai’yueqing Culture Media Co,Ltd., but I have also brought pleasure to people of all ethnic groups while performing magics for many years. I deeply feel that it is the good policies of our country that have made me what I am today.

I have witnessed the great changes and the brilliant achievements of our great motherland and the beautiful Xinjiang. People of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang live a stable and happy life.The people of Xinjiang know best, experience best and have the best say in the development and human rights undertaking of Xinjiang which brooks no fabrication, sinister comments and unscrupulous interference from anybody.

The Anti-China forces from The United States and western countries fabricate fake news and slander china on the pretext of the so-called “forced labour”. To this, we strongly decry and resolutely oppose what they have done. Their evil intention is to bring disorder to China and impede the development of China. As a native of Xinjiang, I will by no means allow no one to destroy our hard-won happy life.

Hu Zhichun: Thanks for Aniwar Azatti’s statement.

Hu Zhichun: There are so many analogies that the diligent and intelligent people of all ethnic groups become rich and live a happy life through labour and employment. Now, please watch a video.

Hu Zhichun: People of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang work with dignity in the sunshine, find jobs voluntarily, and their rights and interests are protected by law. Today, Xinjiang enjoys social stability, economic prosperity, ethnic unity and religious harmony while its various undertakings are thriving and the people live a peaceful life. However, Anti-China forces from America and Western countries disregard facts, deliberately denigrate the human rights situation of Xinjiang of China. They attack Xinjiang on the pretext of the so-called “forced labour” which deeply harm the relationships among all ethnic groups of Xinjiang. Peoples of all ethnic groups of Xinjiang will express stern condemnation and firm opposition.

This is the end of today’s press conference.Thanks for your participation, dear fellow speakers and media reporters. See you next time.