China issues white paper on anti-terrorism, human rights protection in Xinjiang

BEIJING -- The State Council Information Office on Monday issued a white paper on the fight against terrorism and extremism and human rights protection in Xinjiang.

The Chinese government stands firmly against all forms of terrorism and extremism, and is relentless in striking hard, in accordance with the law, at any conduct advocating terrorism and extremism and any action that involves organizing, planning and carrying out terrorist activities, or infringing upon citizens' human rights, said the white paper, titled "The Fight Against Terrorism and Extremism and Human Rights Protection in Xinjiang."

For some time China's Xinjiang, under the combined influence of separatists, religious extremists and terrorists, has seen frequent incidents of terrorist attacks, which have been detrimental to the life and property of people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang and have trampled on people's dignity, it said.

A country under the rule of law, China respects and protects human rights in accordance with the principles of its Constitution, said the document.

China's fight against terrorism and extremism is an important part of the same battle being waged by the international community, the white paper said, adding that it is in keeping with the purposes and principles of the United Nations to combat terrorism and safeguard basic human rights.

In today's world, faced with the severe challenges of terrorism and extremism, no country can shy away from them, it said.

"Only by strengthening our community of shared future, abandoning double standards, enhancing political mutual trust, reaching strategic consensus, and promoting exchanges and cooperation, can we effectively curb and combat terrorism and extremism in the interests of world peace and stability," the white paper said.

Besides a foreword and a conclusion, the white paper consisted of seven main sections: "Xinjiang Has Long Been an Inseparable Part of Chinese Territory," "The Origin of Terrorism and Extremism in Xinjiang," "Violent Terrorism and Religious Extremism Are Grave Abuses of Human Rights," "Striking at Terrorism and Extremism in Accordance with the Law," "Giving Top Priority to a Preventive Counterterrorism Approach," "Finding Experience for Counterterrorism and De-radicalization," and "International Counterterrorism Exchanges and Cooperation."