On 29 October, during the discussion on human rights at the Third Committee of the United Nations General Assembly, a vast majority of countries expressed firm opposition to the United States and some other countries using Xinjiang to interfere in China’s internal affairs. They voiced support for the counter-terrorism measures taken in Xinjiang through joint and separate statements.

Belarus made a joint statement on behalf of 54 countries, praising China’s people-centered development philosophy and remarkable development achievements and China’s important contribution to international human rights cause. The joint statement spoke positively of the results of counter-terrorism and de-radicalization measures in Xinjiang and noted that these measures have reversed the security situation in Xinjiang and effectively safeguarded the basic human rights of people of all ethnic groups. The statement expressed opposition to relevant countries politicizing the human rights issue, naming and shaming and publicly pressuring, and called on them to stop groundless accusations against China.

More than 30 countries including Pakistan and Russia made statements. They commended China’s efforts and great achievements in promotion and protection of human rights, voiced support for the counter-terrorism measures taken in Xinjiang, and expressed opposition to relevant countries’ practice of using human rights to provoke confrontation and interfere in other countries’ internal affairs.

Ambassador Zhang Jun, Permanent Representative of China to the United Nations, refuted the baseless comments on Xinjiang made by the United States, the United Kingdom and some other countries. Zhang said that the United States, the United Kingdom and some other countries made baseless accusations against China, which is gross interference in China’s internal affairs and deliberate provocation of confrontation. China firmly opposes and rejects it.

Zhang said that the US statement is absolutely untrue. What China has achieved in human rights is clear to everyone. Xinjiang’s preventive measures of counter-terrorism and de-radicalization are based on law and consistent with the will of the people. This is not about human rights, and has nothing to do with racial discrimination. The words of a few countries, however eloquent, cannot erase the historic achievements in Xinjiang’s human rights cause, cannot negate the positive results of Xinjiang’s counter-terrorism and de-radicalization efforts, and cannot shake China’s determination to uphold national security and stability.

Zhang said that there is hidden political agenda and ulterior motive in the US statement. The human rights issue is always an instrument for US hegemonism and power politics. Care for human rights is a hypocritical excuse used by the United States to interfere in the internal affairs of other countries. By making relentless efforts to defame China on Xinjiang, the United States aims to undermine China’s stability and contain China’s development. Such malicious attempt will never work.

Zhang said that the US argument is unpopular and against the trend of history. Belarus just made a joint statement on behalf of 54 countries. Pakistan, Russia and other countries also commended China’s human rights achievements and counter-terrorism and deradicalization measures in Xinjiang. In March, China completed the third round of country review, and more than 120 countries spoke highly of China’s human rights achievements. In July, 50 countries co-signed a letter to the President of UN Human Rights Council and High Commissioner for Human rights to voice support for China regarding measures taken in Xinjiang. This fully shows that people of the world see the truth and have their own judgment. China wants to tell the United States and a few other countries not to confront the international community and not go any further on the wrong path. Countries that have the blood of ethnic minorities on their hands have no right to criticize others. China will stay firm on the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics and continue to work tirelessly to protect and promote human rights. No force can stop the Chinese people and Chinese nation forging ahead. China will certainly enjoy an even better future.