Human rights experts stand up for polices in Xinjiang, Tibet and Hong Kong

Source:Xinhua Published: 2019/10/27 18:38:39

Urumqi residents and visitors dance to celebrate the National Day on October 1 at the Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. Photo: VCG



Chinese experts and scholars briefed Chinese and foreign journalists on issues related to Xinjiang, Tibet and Hong Kong at a briefing in New York, the US.

The briefing was held by the Chinese mission to the United Nations and the China Society for Human Rights Studies (CSHRS) in New York on Friday.

Chang Jian, director of the Research Center for Human Rights at China's Nankai University, highlighted China's ethnic and religious policies, stressing that China is a unified multi-ethnic country where multiple religions coexist. 

"China implements the policy of equality, unity and mutual assistance among all ethnic groups, respects and protects the people of all ethnic groups' right to freedom of religious belief, promotes the long-term harmonious coexistence of the people of all ethnic groups, and promotes the sustained and all-round development of the ethnic minorities in political, economic, social and cultural fields," he said.

Xu Jianying, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, elaborated on China's counter-terrorism efforts and the fight against extremism in Xinjiang, including the establishment of counter-terrorism mechanisms in accordance with the law, and emphasized that fighting terrorism and extremism are related to ensuring basic human rights, including the right to survival and development.

In light of China's national conditions, Xu said that it is wise to explore policies "against terrorism and extremism in a practical and innovative way, and formulate measures tailored to local conditions."

Zuliyati Simayi, dean of School of Marxism at Xinjiang University, said at the briefing that the realization of full human rights is a long-term goal for all the Chinese people, including people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang.

"At present, China is making great efforts to develop various undertakings in Xinjiang, effectively safeguarding the right of people of all ethnic groups to participate in development on an equal footing and share the fruits of development, so as to make new progress in human rights in Xinjiang."

Chen Xinxin, another researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said that since the return of Hong Kong to the motherland, China's central government has been dealing with Hong Kong affairs in strict accordance with the Constitution and the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

The principle of "one country, two systems" has won the support of the Chinese people, including those in Hong Kong, and widespread praise from the international community, he said.

Chen also briefed reporters about the situation in Hong Kong "where the rule of law has been badly damaged and the rights and freedom of the majority in Hong Kong are being ruined."

"Upholding the principle of 'one country, two systems' and the rule of law in Hong Kong is the best choice to ensure the legitimate rights and interests of all parties," he added.

Gesang Zhuoma, a researcher with the China Tibetology Research Center, demonstrated Tibet's achievements in the development of human rights with many statistics on the autonomous region's social progress.

CSHRS deputy secretary-general Wang Linxia, together with other experts and scholars, presided over the briefing and answered questions about China's religious policy and other related questions.

Xinhua
Newspaper headline: Fit to China's conditions


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