China strongly condemns and firmly opposes Canadian House of Commons’ passage of Xinjiang-related motion

On February 23, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Wang Wenbin stated, the Canadian House of Commons’ Xinjiang-related motion disregards facts and common sense, intentionally slanders China, severely violates the basic standards of international law and international relations, and rudely interferes in China's internal affairs. China strongly condemns and firmly opposes this action, and has made solemn representations to Canada.

At local time on February 22, regardless of China's solemn position, Canada's House of Commons passed the Xinjiang-related motion, falsely accusing China of conducting "genocide" to Uygurs in Xinjiang, and advocating to change the hosting venue of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games.

Wang stated at the press conference that the essence of Xinjiang’s problem is counter-terrorism and anti-extremism. Xinjiang is earnestly implementing the United Nations' "Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism". It also takes references from similar practices in other countries to carry out the work of anti-externalization according to the law, and fully conforms to the principles and spirits of the "UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy".

"Through the efforts of all ethnic groups, Xinjiang has not had any terrorist cases in four consecutive years. Society has been safe and stable with good developmental prospects, and people live and work in peace and contentment," said Wang.

Wang stated, in recent years, the Uygur population in Xinjiang has continued to grow. From 2010 to 2018, the Uygur population in Xinjiang rose from 10.17 million to 12.72 million, an increase of 25.04%. The growth rate of the Uyghur population is not only higher than that of Xinjiang's total population, which is 13.99%, but also higher than that of all ethnic minority groups, which is 22.14%, and significantly higher than the Han population's growth of 2%. Different ethnic groups in Xinjiang enjoy full reproductive and developmental rights. The languages and characters, traditional cultures, and customs of different ethnic minority groups are well-protected and inherited.

“As proven by facts, there is no ‘genocide’ in Xinjiang. This is entirely a lie of the century fabricated by extreme anti-China forces, and a ridiculous farce which smears and slanders China.

"Some people in Canada should abandon prejudice against China and treat China objectively and justly, instead of indulging in the outdated mentality of ideological confrontation. They should also not place domestic political struggles or private interests of one party above the overall situation of China-Canada relationship," said Wang.

Wang pointed out, Canada consistently claims to defend values, but one of the most important values is to respect facts. Some Canadian politicians have never set foot in Xinjiang or even in China, but use human rights as an excuse to conduct political manipulation on Xinjiang-related issues, and openly spread false information and lies. This is precisely trampling on the values that Canada preaches.

"I want to point out that Xinjiang-related issues are entirely China's internal affairs. Canada has no eligibility or rights to interfere. China stands firm to defend our national sovereignty, safety and developmental interests. Any actions that damages China's interests will receive firm responses," said Wang.

Translated by Zhang Junye