The Press Conference of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on Refuting “Forced Labor”

December 19, 2021

Photo taken on December 19, 2021 shows the special press conference of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on refuting the allegation of “forced labor”in Urumqi, capital of XUAR. Photo by Xinjiang Daily/ Xie Long

On December 19, 2021, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region held a special press conference on refuting “forced labor”. Experts, scholars and representatives from all walks of life are invited to introduce facts of getting employed on a voluntary basis and becoming better off through hard work. It refutes forcefully the lie and fallacy of so-called “forced labor”in Xinjiang concocted by the anti-China forces in the United States and several western countries.

Host: Good morning, fellow media reporters! Welcome to the press conference of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. I’m Hailati, the host of this press conference.

Photo taken on December 19, 2021 shows Hailati, the host of the special press conference of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on refuting the allegation of “forced labor”. Photo by Xinjiang Daily/ Xie Long

Please allow me to introduce speakers of today’s press conference. They are Amatjan Abduhalik, associate professor at College of Economics, Xinjiang University of Finance and Economics, Matyasen Matuxun, director of the villagers committee of Aketrek Village, Arix Township, Yutian County, Hotan Prefecture, Zhao Youguo, head of Zhongya Co., Ltd., Bortala Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture, Amar Jelil, cotton grower of Puhui Farm, Korla City, Bayingolin Prefecture, Amar Simayi, cotton grower of Xinhe County, Aksu Prefecture, Yilipaer Aximjan, imam of Hongqi Road Mosque, Karamay District, Karamay City, Abdusalam Hoji, employee of Xinjiang Hoshine Silicon (Shanshan) Industry Co., Ltd., Maimaitjan Maituerxun, general manager of Xinjiang Aikuyi Cultural Media Co., Ltd. and vice president of New Social Stratum Association of Xinjiang.

Now please let me share my view with you on the lie of so-called “forced labor” in Xinjiang fabricated by the anti-China forces in the United States and several western countries.

For some time, the anti-China forces in the United States and several western countries have wantonly fabricated the lie of so-called “mass forced labor” in Xinjiang and abused measures such as “long-arm jurisdiction” and export control for the sinister scheme of disrupting Xinjiang by suppressing and sanctioning enterprises in Xinjiang and creating “forced unemployment” and “forced poverty” to confine people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang to poverty, isolation and backwardness. However, what’s ironic is that they seem to have forgotten that the United States itself is the country that is known for forced labor when the anti-China forces smear Xinjiang.

In fact, the United States has been notorious and very sinful in labor issues. In its history, the United States wantonly trafficked black slaves, Chinese laborers and oppressed the Indians disregarding all moral codes for the sole purpose of accumulating original capital. In recent years, the US Department of States has issued in succession Human Trafficking Reports to acknowledge that it has been the country of origin, destination, transit of human trafficking in the world. Even some US officials have participated in human trafficking and forced labor. To date, the United States has been one of the lowest signatories to the core ILO conventions and the worst performing developed country in terms of labor rights protection as identified by the relevant international trade union organizations.

In terms of the US claim of “mass forced labor” in Xinjiang, it does not accord with the conditions of labor of people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang and is simply a groundless fabrication concocted by a handful of anti-China activists mustered by some institutions and people in the United States and several western countries. According to the clear definition in Forced Labour Convention passed by the ILO, “forced labor” refers to “ all work or service which is exacted from any person under the menace of any penalty, and for which the said person has not offered himself voluntarily.” In Xinjiang, the labor rights and interests of people of all ethnic groups are protected by the Chinese Constitution and laws.They have the freedom to choose their occupation, go to any place and do any work of their own will, and their personal freedom has never been restricted in any way.Their customs and habits, religious beliefs, and use of their own languages and scripts are also protected by law.The enterprises concerned also provide them with good working and living conditions to ensure that they work comfortably, live peacefully and their families rest contented with their lives. There is no such thing as so-called “forced labor” at all.

Today’s press conference is an occasion to let fact speak for itself and truth be told to see who is applying “forced labor” and who is protecting people’s labor rights.

Host: Now let’s invite Amatjan Abduhalik, associate professor at College of Economics, Xinjiang University of Finance and Economics to share his views on the so-called “forced labor” in Xinjiang.

Photo taken on December 19, 2021 shows Amatjan Abduhalik speaks at the special press conference of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on refuting the allegation of “forced labor”. Photo by Xinjiang Daily/ Xie Long

Amatjan Abduhalik: Not long ago, the US politicians fabricated the lie of so-called “forced labor”in Xinjiang under the pretext of human rights.

What happens in Xinjiang is purely China’s internal affairs at which the US politicians are in no position to point figures. The so-called “Xinjiang-related issue” is an issue of anti-violence, anti-terrorism, anti-infiltration, anti-secession and anti- interference and is not a racial, religious or human rights issue at all. As the human rights conditions in Xinjiang are far better than those of the United States, the US politicians shall reflect and consider carefully how to clean up the mess of human rights in your own country, manage your own business well and do less harm to others.

Xinjiang adheres to people-centered human rights concept as always and regards the rights to sustain and develop as the most fundamental human rights.It adheres to safeguarding and improving people’s livelihood as its focus and striving to develop all causes, share the fruits of reform and development, and effectively guarantee equal participation and equal development rights for people of all ethnic groups. The human rights conditions in Xinjiang have seen new developments and progress.

In Xinjiang, people of all ethnic groups enjoy their rights to choose their professions based on their own will in accordance with the Chinese laws and regulations including the Labor Law of People’s Republic of China.They sign labor contracts with the enterprises and companies on the basis of equality and voluntariness and get remuneration. All workers’ rights and interests including religious beliefs, customs, languages and scripts are respected and guaranteed in accordance with the law.The rights of workers of all ethnic groups to remuneration, rest and leave, labor safety and health protection, and access to social insurance benefits in the labor process are protected in accordance with the law. The region’s labor and employment policies and practices are in compliance with both the Chinese laws and regulations as well as international labor and human rights standards.

The so-called “forced labor” in Xinjiang is a gross lie of the century.Being the largest base of commercial cotton in the country, Xinjiang occupies an important strategic position in the field of cotton production and processing in China.At present,the cotton and garment industry of Xinjiang has developed into an important industry for people of all ethnic groups in the region, China’s textile and garment industry and the global textile and garment value chain. Meanwhile, it plays a significant role in various aspects including providing employment, contributing to the increase of cotton farmers’ income, promoting local economic development and improving people’s well-being in the region.In the historic process of eradicating absolute poverty in Xinjiang in particular, the development of the cotton and textile industry has brought cotton growing along and making it one of the important industries to enable poor laborers to increase their income.

In recent years,cotton growing in Xinjiang has seen continuous innovations in mechanism and system through the development of managerial model characterized by “farmers plus cooperatives plus companies”and “supply and marketing”.New agricultural business entities have been actively cultivated and a variety of forms of moderate scale operations has been developed to ensure high quality and stable yield of cotton, and promote agricultural income.The model of “farmers plus cooperatives” has integrated management of the land of all farmers who are members of the cooperative so that planting varieties, planting mode, whole land sowing,field management, cotton picking and delivery are all unified. This new model of agricultural economic entity can promote the development of agricultural scale, mechanization, standardization and intensification. The radiation has spurred the development of industrial clusters including upstream and downstream textile and garment, equipment manufacturing and breeding etc.,and the number of people employed in the textile and garment industry has been growing.

As a saying in Xinjiang goes, “the worker’s naan tastes sweeter.” We create a wonderful life with our own hands. As we work to get remuneration and improve our living conditions, how can it be “forced labor”? As we work with diligence to increase our income,be rid of poverty and live a good life, do we need to be forced by anyone? The fundamental purpose of the lie that confounds black and white with sinister intention is to disrupt the industrial chain of Xinjiang cotton, tomato and photovoltaic industries etc. and prevent Xinjiang from developing. We people of all ethnic groups will never allow despicable conducts as such!

Host: Thank Amatjan Abduhalik for your account. Now let’s invite Matyasen Matuxun, director of the villagers committee of Aketrek Village, Arix Township, Yutian County, Hotan Prefecture to introduce related situation.

Photo taken on December 19, 2021 shows Matyasen Matuxun speaks at the special press conference of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on refuting the allegation of “forced labor”. Photo by Xinjiang Daily/ Xie Long

Matyasen Matuxun: Recently, I read online that the US politicians deliver false remarks,claiming that there’s so-called “forced labor” in Xinjiang. I was outraged at this because it’s simply groundless fabrication. People of all ethnic groups are free to choose whatever profession based on our own will and we don’t need anyone to force us. Please stop talking nonsense!

I’m Matyasen Matuxun and director of the villagers committee of Aketrek Village, Arix Township, Yutian County, Hotan Prefecture. There are four people in my family. My wife has stable job and my two sons are at school. In 2020 I was selected as director of the villagers committee through villagers’ election. In recent years, villagers’ living conditions have taken on dramatic changes, thanks to the beneficial policies of the Communist Party and the government.

For example, Mamat Abuduhawaer of our village used to be jobless and the living conditions of his family were not good. As he made a living by helping others in the village with doing odd jobs, he was unable to earn much money. In 2017 with the help of the villagers committee, he and several peers set up a walnut processing factory, which has particularly good benefits and not only improves their own family income, but also promotes the employment of other villagers. Ayihan Masum in our village used to be an ordinary housewife, preparing food, doing washing and taking care of children. As her husband raised sheep and did farming for family expenditure, their family’s living conditions were very ordinary.Some years ago,on her friend’s recommendation, she went picking cotton in Korla and earned RMB 10,000 in less than two months.After she came back home, she bought multi-fetal sheep for breeding with what she earned by picking cotton. Now they grow more than 50 sheep.They plan to buy an apartment in the county with mortgage. Nijiahan Matniyaz runs a shop by the seat of villagers committee and the living conditions of her family have been greatly improved.Some villagers set up vegetable and marigold greenhouses. There are many people like Mamat Abuduhaiwaier, Ayihan Masum and Nijiahan Matniyaz in our village. Nowadays, villagers in our village all live a happy and wonderful life by means of our own efforts. 　

I want to say that there has never been so-called “forced labor” in Xinjiang. People of all ethnic groups are working hard to live a much happier and more wonderful life. Please stop smearing and defaming our sweet life. What’s true can’t be false. Justice lies in the heart! Please mind your own business!

Host: Now let’s invite Zhao Youguo, head of Zhongya Co., Ltd.,Bortala Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture to introduce related situation.

Photo taken on December 19, 2021 shows Zhao Youguo speaks at the special press conference of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on refuting the allegation of “forced labor”. Photo by Xinjiang Daily/ Xie Long

Zhao Youguo: Recently, the US politicians wantonly smear that there’s so-called “forced labor” in Xinjiang, stigmatizing and attacking our human rights situation. It’s very outrageous! My company resolutely opposes such malicious attacks!

Our Zhongya Co., Ltd. is a subordinate enterprise of the supply and marketing cooperative of Bortala Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture and its major business includes seed cotton purchase and processing and lint management.

In 2004 our company set up Dazhen Zhongya Farmers’ Cooperative with two villages in Bole City. The company takes helping farmers increase income as its purpose.Since the establishment of the cooperative, we’ve provided low-interest loans for cotton growers every year, collectively purchased low-priced agricultural supplies, and recommended high-quality cotton sales farmers to the banks to help them get loans at preferential interest rates.Meanwhile,we’ve recommended high-quality machine-picked cotton seeds to help cotton farmers reduce the cost of planting and to try our best to maximize the benefits of farmers in the cooperative.

As Xinjiang is a multi-ethnic region, ethnic minority cotton growers are beneficiaries of the improvement of mechanization of cotton growth. Cotton maturity and time for sale span from September to January of the following year, so a lot of surplus rural labor is available after cotton is picked.Our company may provide job opportunities for 60 to 70 people to ensure that cotton purchase and processing go smoothly during the production period. Farmers come to look for jobs and learn technological skills voluntarily and our company provides them with free food and lodging. They enjoy equal pay for equal work and have never been unpaid. There are employees of various ethnic groups in our company and they work eight hours a day and their food and lodging are covered by the company.They earn a salary of no less than RMB5,000.

The US politicians wantonly smear that there’s so-called “forced labor” in Xinjiang time and again regardless of facts. The anti-China forces in the United States and several western countries follow the hype and attack Xinjiang cotton. All these conducts are not market behaviors at all. Rather they are sinister schemes to interfere with the internal affairs of China, disrupt the stability in Xinjiang and then suppress China under the pretext of human rights. We are convinced that the lie will definitely expose itself as long as we are aware of the schemes and keep on doing our work well!　　

Host: Now let’s invite Amar Jelil, cotton grower of Puhui Farm, Korla City, Bayingolin Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture to introduce related situations.

Photo taken on December 19, 2021 shows Amar Jelil speaks at the special press conference of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on refuting the allegation of “forced labor”. Photo by Xinjiang Daily/ Xie Long

Amar Jelil: Hello everyone! I’m Amar Jelil, 32 years old. I am from production team one of Puhui Farm, Korla City, Bayingolin Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture.

As long as I can remember, generations of my family have been growing cotton here.I have a family of six people, including my parents, elder brother, elder sister and me. From a young age we received good education. There were over 80 mu of cotton fields and more than 200 sheep in my family. As cotton growing was mainly done with manual labor in the past, my elder brother and elder sister helped with it when we were short of hands.In cotton harvest season for particular a lot of labor was needed and we hired cotton pickers of various ethnic groups and paid them. Cotton pickers chose where to pick and in whose field on a voluntary basis. Both cotton pickers and growers agreed on the amount of wages on a daily or monthly basis. Now mechanized sowing and picking is applied by every cotton grower. During the harvest season, intelligent agricultural machinery busy working can be seen everywhere in the cotton fields.

Now we grow cotton with ease because the whole process from plowing, sowing, spraying pesticide to picking is mechanized, which is really both time-saving and labor-saving. Therefore, I have more time to engage in farming. One person can handle 100 mu of cotton fields in sowing. When it’s time to pick cotton, mechanized cotton picker is applied because it costs less yet it is very efficient. With the consistent application of mechanization, I expand the area of cotton fields. Now I manage 230 mu of fields in contrast to over 80 mu in the past and earn over RMB 150,000 annually. I now have over 1,400 sheep in contrast to over 200 sheep in the past, which is supplied to shops selling roasted whole lambs and sheep mongers. I have an income of over RMB 100,000 for this.

As I have more sheep now and spend more time and energy on it, at the beginning of 2021, I transferred more than 200 mu of cotton fields to the land firm so that I can manage both cotton and sheep. As the rent per mu is RMB 500,I can earn RMB 100,000 a year. As I have over 20mu of fields to grow forage for sheep, I have more energy to develop live-stock raising. I hire shepherds to herd over 1,400 sheep in the Huola Mountain in summer and herd sheep in my own cotton fields in winter. As sheep is stout, its meat is tight and tastes chewy, it’s in great demand.

Years of hard work have enabled our family to enjoy better lives. I’ve bought a car and a forklift this year. Forklift makes it more relaxing to deal with sheep manure. In summer I can do some minor businesses with it so that I can make more money for the family. Besides, I’ve renovated our house and clean and warm underfloor heating is applied to replace the dirty heating in the past. Various kinds of household appliances are seen in my house. We live a comfortable life as it’s clean, warm and convenient in winter and cool in summer.

Now our state has issued many beneficial policies. I enjoyed RMB 28,500 of governmental housing subsidy when I built my house. Besides, we enjoy various kinds of medical security, pension and elderly care. We all live in clean and tidy government subsidized houses that are cool in summer and warm in winter. The asphalt roads lead to the gates of our houses.Schools are close to our houses so that children are able to have good and free nine years compulsory education without leaving the village. My two kids are at schools near our house, which is very convenient. This is where I live and where people live a happy and joyful life. Many families in the villages are double-income ones. Many of the villagers go to work at places they like based on their own will. Some do business. We all live a happy and joyful life chosen by ourselves voluntarily.

I have said so much to tell you, “There is only a desolate desert, not a desolate life. There are no poor people in the world, only lazy people. As long as you are willing to work and work hard, your life will get better and better.”I am able to live a happy life because I believe in the above quote. There are many people in my village who are more hardworking than I am. However, the anti-China forces in the United States and several western countries slander that our voluntary work is “forced labor”. They are talking lies because bad as they are, they are unwilling to see us live a good life!

Host: Now let’s invite Amar Simayi, cotton grower of Xinhe County, Aksu Prefecture to introduce related situation to us.

Photo taken on December 19, 2021 shows Amar Simay speaks at the special press conference of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on refuting the allegation of “forced labor”. Photo by Xinjiang Daily/ Xie Long

Amar Simayi: I’m Amar Simayi and live in Xinhe County, Aksu Prefecture. We have 810 mu of land, 600 mu of which are cotton fields.

In the past, as my family had only a few people to work in the field, my biggest worry was that I was unable to recruit workers when it’s time to pick cotton. So I spent much time doing preparation in advance. It used to take 30 cotton pickers more than a month to complete cotton picking. Besides, I paid them RMB 2 for per kilogram of cotton, which was both time-consuming and costly. Now with the application of mechanized cotton picker, the cost for growing cotton has decreased remarkably. It takes only one day to complete all the work of cotton picking. This year my income for cotton is probably RMB 2.3 million and I feel very happy with it.

As I have been growing cotton for years, mechanized cotton growing has really changed my life. Now I not only grow cotton, but also engage in live-stock raising, including cows and sheep. Thank to growing cotton, I am able to live a happy life, live in spacious and comfortable government subsidized house, buy two cars and an apartment for my parents in the city. Now my children’s educational conditions have become better because they go to school for free. Besides, we all have social security and it does not cost much to go to the hospital as most of the expenses are covered by the government. We do live a happy life. Now I’m preparing to set up a cooperative to make full use of my agricultural skills to lead villagers to increase income and get better off together. I want to contribute to the development of my hometown with my action.

Host:Now let’s invite Abdusalam Hoji, employee of Xinjiang Hoshine Silicon (Shanshan) Industry Co., Ltd to introduce related situation.

Photo taken on December 19, 2021 shows Abdusalam Hoji speaks at the special press conference of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on refuting the allegation of “forced labor”. Photo by Xinjiang Daily/ Xie Long

Abdusalam Hoji: I’m Abdusalam Hoji, a Uygur, 27 years old and my home is at Azat Village, Dalangkan Township, Shanshan County. I work as a feeder worker at Xinjiang Hoshine Silicon (Shanshan) Industry Co., Ltd. On hearing that the United States slanders that there’s so-called forced labor in Xinjiang, I feel unbelievable. I do want to share my real experience and real situation with you all.

I came to work at the company upon my friend’s recommendation in September 2020. I signed the labor contract with the company and had orientation training before starting to do the job. After I started to work, the master worker helped us to grow and informed us of the enterprise culture of the company and the use of the products we produce. Now I am able to operate on my own and have become a skilled worker. I am very grateful to the company for its care and concern about us. Our first month is a probationary period with the monthly salary of RMB 4,500. After I work at the industrial furnace as a feeder worker, my salary is RMB 6,500 yuan, plus a bonus of more than RMB 10,000. The company pays for our medical insurance, endowment insurance, unemployment insurance, insurance against injuries at work, maternity insurance and pension according to the provisions. We work for 8 hours a day on workdays and rest on weekends and holidays.

There are five people in my family. We have 5 mu of grape fields and earn over RMB 30,000 annually, which is hard up for a family of five. We lived in old house. After working at Hoshine Silicon (Shanshan) Industry Co., Ltd., great changes have taken place my family. We have more income and the living conditions of our family have been improved. We’ve built a 120 square meter government subsidized house and enjoy governmental subsistence. At the end of last year, I bought a car and had a girl friend. I will work harder so as to give my family a better life.

The company has very good living conditions. It has a halal canteen for ethnic minority groups and offers subsistence for food on a monthly basis. There are a variety of tasty food at the canteen which meet our need. We are very satisfied with it. My favorites are pilaf and peppery chicken. Our accommodation is good and free as there are air conditioner, heating, TV and separate washroom in the apartment. As the living facilities are distant from the company, it provides 13 shuttle buses for transportation for employees for free.I am grateful to the Communist Party, the government and all the heads of the company for giving me such good chance of making money.

I am very indignant at and resolutely oppose the lies and rumors released by the United States and several western countries! There is no so-called “forced labor” at all in our company. I work voluntarily at the company to improve the living condition of my family. The anti-China forces in the United States and several western countries know nothing about Xinjiang and their sanction of our company is groundless. Those who have ulterior intention please stop disturbing our happy and contented life.

Host: Now let’s invite Yilipaer Aximjan, Imam of Hongqi Road Mosque, Karamay District, Karamay City to introduce related situation.

Photo taken on December 19, 2021 shows Yilipaer Aximjan speaks at the special press conference of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on refuting the allegation of “forced labor”. Photo by Xinjiang Daily/ Xie Long

Yilipaer Aximjan: Hello, everyone! I’m Yilipaer Aximjan, religious personnel of Hongqi Road Mosque, Karamay District, Karamay City. Recently, the anti-China forces in the United States and several western countries talk about the so-called “forced labor” in Xinjiang now and then, which is gross nonsense. Take myself as an example. Being a religious personnel graduated from Xinjiang Islamic Institute, I mainly manage my own naan shop besides meeting the religious needs of people who believe in religion in the zone. I want to open another store in the near future for other businesses to pursue a more wonderful life with my own work.Is it wrong to do so? Do you think we Uygurs are lazy people reluctant to work? So I don’t know whether to laugh or cry when the United States and several western countries have the face to talk about it.

In Karamay,we people of all ethnic groups are as close as brothers and sisters. We build our beautiful homeland with hard work. The Communist Party and the government have provided people with many job opportunities.Many advanced enterprises from the developed eastern region are introduced to set up their companies to Xinjiang and many of my friends and relatives work there. The companies pay for their medical insurance, endowment insurance, unemployment insurance, insurance against injuries at work, maternity insurance and pension. Some of my friends are recruited in governmental units and with hard work they are able to buy their own cars and houses and their life has become better and are more secured. Our city has become more and more beautiful. Livelihood security has become more comprehensive. Everyone is endowed with free medical care and children go to school for free. Most of the expenses for medical treatment are covered by the government. Our life is becoming better and better and everyone smiles. People living in peace and enjoying their work and ethnic unity have been truly realized.

That “Uygurs in Xinjiang are oppressed and forced labor” is an outright lie. The United States and several western countries’ smear of human rights issue in Xinjiang are bald-faced political scheme whose real intention is to disrupt the stability in Xinjiang and prevent China from developing. Human rights as you talk about and the so-called “care about the life of ethnic minorities in Xinjiang” are in fact violation to our human right and disruption of our happy life. We people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang will live a better life with our hard work.

Host: Now let’s invite Maimaitjan Maituerxun, general manager of Xinjiang Aikuyi Cultural Media Co., Ltd. and vice president of New Social Stratum Association of Xinjiang to introduce related situation to us.

Photo taken on December 19, 2021 shows Maimaitjan Maituerxun speaks at the special press conference of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on refuting the allegation of “forced labor”. Photo by Xinjiang Daily/ Xie Long

Maimaitjan Maituerxun: I’m Maimaitjan Maituerxun, general manager of Xinjiang Aikuyi Cultural Media Co., Ltd..

Recently, the anti-China forces in the West led by the United States draw their allies over to their side in full force, smearing, attacking and sanctioning China. They play the role of being condescending lecturer in human rights and fabricate the vicious lie that there’s so-called “forced labor” in Xinjiang, which is absolute nonsense that invites humiliation.I strongly condemn and resolutely oppose their wanton slander and nonsense.

I am very indignant at reading these news reports. People in Xinjiang know that migrant farmers from provinces such as Henan, Sichuan and Gansu etc. came to pick cotton in Xinjiang by train every autumn when cotton was ripe some years ago. They were called army of cotton picking. Farmers of different ethnic groups in Xinjiang went cotton picking at cotton production zones voluntarily.They worked together,took care of each other and became close friends with each other. They came to pick cotton out of their own will.The cotton growers provided cotton pickers with food and lodging and they could make over RMB10,000 in a month.

In every September and October, villagers looked forward to going cotton picking. It’s their happiest thing to make money by picking cotton. Now as the production of Xinjiang cotton has been highly mechanized, even in the busiest season, not too many cotton pickers are needed. How can there be “forced labor”?

No matter how the anti-China forces in the West slander and smear,they won’t stop the pace of prosperity and development in Xinjiang or change the good situation here as people of all ethnic groups are united, friendly,help each other and make progress together. A lie repeated a thousand times is still a lie. Cotton is the happy flower of people’s hard work and prosperity and the real manifestation that the right to work and develop of people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang is safeguarded. Those dark-minded western politicians who slander and confuse people won’t tarnish the pure white Xinjiang cotton.

Lies will never change truth. No foreign forces will ever disturb the harmony and stability of Xinjiang, prevent people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang from getting united and making progress and write off the objective facts of progress in human rights in Xinjiang.

Host: Working hard and getting employed with diligence and wisdom, people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang increase their income, get better off and live a happy life. There are many such instances. Now let’s watch a video.

Host: We’ve emphasized time and again that the so-called “forced labor” in Xinjiang is simply a lie concocted by a very small number of anti-China forces in a very small number of countries such as the United States for the scheme of containing China through disrupting Xinjiang. We oppose firmly any foreign forces to interfere with the internal affairs of China by means of Xinjiang-related issue and hope the related parties should not be deceived by the so-called “ forced labor” lie.

Host: That’s the end of this press conference. Please allow me to say thank you to all the speakers and all the media friends for your presence. See you!