Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun. Photo: Chinese Foreign Ministry

When asked to respond to a report by the Swiss government claiming that "ethnic Tibetan and Uygur people living in Switzerland are under pressure from China," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Thursday that Xizang- and Xinjiang-related affairs are purely China's internal affairs and brook no interference from external forces. Politicizing these issues to smear and discredit China runs counter to the facts, violates the fundamental principle of mutual respect in China-Switzerland relations, and does not align with the current high level of bilateral ties.

Guo stated that he hopes the Swiss side will fully recognize the importance and sensitivity of Xizang- and Xinjiang-related issues, genuinely respect China's core interests and major concerns, stop sending misleading messages to the outside world, and take concrete actions to safeguard the overall interests of China-Switzerland relations.

Global Times