Xinjiang policy subject to no one's slander

Editor's Note: China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, thanks to its unique location, has long been at the forefront of the global fight against terrorism and extremism. But despite being highly effective in curbing terrorism and extremism, China's Xinjiang policy has come under constant attack from Western media outlets and politicians. Two experts share their views on the issue with China Daily's Liu Jianna. Excerpts follow:

Anti-terrorism measures must be judged objectively

The controversy over Xinjiang is more of a competition between two ideologies and two development paths than a contradiction in the means of human rights protection. As China's national strength continues to improve, it is only natural that countries led by the United States will intensify their attacks against China's policies, including human rights protection, in a bid to tarnish China's reputation and check its rise as a major country.

The starkest difference between China and Western countries is that the Chinese government has sought to eradicate the factors that give rise to terrorism and extremism, and to improve people's wellbeing by providing better education and vocational training in special centers in Xinjiang.

In the fight against terrorism and extremism, those who have engaged in criminal activities have been punished according to law while people who committed minor offenses can find redemption, and even lead a better life, with the help of education and training at the centers. Since terrorist groups find it relatively easy to recruit poorly educated and poverty-stricken people, the government, by enrolling such people in the training centers, is helping them realize how dangerous extreme ideas are to society and equipping them with necessary skills to throw off poverty.

Even the United Nations recognizes education and training as an effective means to eradicate extremism.

No terrorist attacks have taken place in Xinjiang in the past few years. But that does not mean the fight against terrorism and extremism is over. Therefore, the government should take firm measures to prevent the re-emergence of terrorism and extremism in Xinjiang. The government also needs to intensify its publicity campaign in order to remove any misunderstandings over its successful anti-terrorism campaign in Xinjiang.

A clean pair of hands needs no washing

When it comes to Xinjiang, certain parties have made it a habit to call white black, and black white to sow discord among the different ethnic groups in the region in an attempt to split China.

This time, they have targeted the education and vocational training centers, which integrate anti-terrorism measures with human rights protection. As an approach that combines punishment with leniency, the training centers are upholding the region's stability and improving people's welfare. It is an innovative arrangement that suits Xinjiang's reality. That extremism and terrorism have been brought under control over the past three years, as well as the significant decline in Xinjiang's impoverished population, speaks volumes about the efficiency of this approach.

As President Xi Jinping said, the utmost human right is people's right to a good life. And Xinjiang's fight against extremism has safeguarded the rights and interests of people of all ethnic groups in the region including their right to life, development, free speech and religion, and thus made their life better.

Some Western countries, especially the US, and their media outlets and politicians are passing irresponsible remarks without bothering to check their own human rights records, which are bleak to say the least. Such countries just cannot stop using double standard and criticizing the governments that hold views different from them. This has become crystal clear to the international community.

Instead of prison and internment camps, as claimed by those with ulterior motives, the training centers in Xinjiang actually teach law, language and job skills to people who are influenced by extremism and thus enable them to lead a normal and decent life.

China will stick to the measures that have helped improve the livelihoods of the members of all ethnic groups. Looking ahead, Xinjiang's economic development, which is the foundation of development in every other field, should be made a priority while the fight against terrorism must be intensified and laws and rules upheld in protecting human rights.

The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily.