Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning Photo: fmprc.gov.cn

The Chinese Foreign Ministry (FM) on Thursday slammed the lies including the so-called forced labor allegations concocted and spread globally by some political forces regarding China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It also affirmed that Xinjiang is currently stable and pledged to expand opening-up and offer more opportunities to foreign companies operating in China including German ones. 

Mao Ning, a spokesperson of China's Foreign Ministry, made these comments in response to a media query during a regular press conference regarding reports that German automaker Volkswagen and its Chinese partner SAIC may sell their joint ventures in Xinjiang and additionally, German chemical giant BASF is reportedly in talks to sell its stake in a joint venture in the region.

While referring the question to the competent authorities about the specifics of the matters, Mao said that some political forces have propagated numerous lies and fabricated misinformation about Xinjiang internationally, including the narrative of so-called forced labor. 

The purpose behind these false narratives about Xinjiang is to destabilize the region, and hinder China's development and rejuvenation, said Mao, emphasizing that these forces are using the guise of human rights to create forced decoupling, unemployment, and return to poverty in Xinjiang, but such attempts will not succeed.

Mao underscored that Xinjiang enjoys social stability, economic development, ethnic unity, and religious harmony. The rights and interests of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang are fully protected. 

China will continue to promote high-quality development, expand high-level opening-up, and provide more opportunities for foreign companies operating in China including German ones, Mao said. 

Global Times