[Explanation] Recently, there have been foreign statements claiming that there is a problem of forced labor in Xinjiang.
On December 21, at a press conference on Xinjiang-related issues in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region held by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, Xu Gui, deputy director of the Propaganda Department of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region Committee of the Communist Party of China, stated that there is no forced labor problem in Xinjiang.
The rights and interests of the vast majority of workers are protected by Chinese laws, and labor has also brought a stable income to minority migrant workers.
[Concurrent] Xu Guixiang, Deputy Minister of the Propaganda Department of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Committee of the Communist Party of China
In fact, we have roughly estimated that the average annual income of these workers who work in the inland is about 40,000 yuan, which is roughly the same as the disposable income of local residents in cities and towns.
The per capita income of the workers who moved to Xinjiang is about 30,000 yuan, which is much higher than the original income of household farming, so this life is getting better and better.
[Concurrent period] Xi'ali Maimai Timmin, a migrant worker in Hotan, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region
I used to farm and raise sheep at home. I usually work part-time jobs. My income is very low. After I came to the company, I made many friends who came to the company through applications like me. I have never heard of anyone being forced.
I have become an important employee of the workshop through hard work. Now I am the workshop director of the company. Our migrant workers are not forced labor as those people with ulterior motives say. Are we migrant workers to earn more money and learn more skills? Do you still need to be forced to change your life with your own hands?
[Explanation] At the meeting, a reporter asked religious figures in Xinjiang, are the mosques in Xinjiang installed cameras to monitor and punish those who go to the mosque?
In response to this, Hatifuwubuli Aishan Tursunyazi of the Jiamai Mosque in Hotan City said that the installation of cameras is to protect the safety of us and the religious people.
[Contemporary period] Khatifuubuli Aishan·Tursunnyazi, Jiamai Mosque, Hotan City, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region
The mosques in Xinjiang have installed cameras to protect the safety of us, religious people and believers, and to prevent and combat violent terrorist crimes.
Although the new crown pneumonia epidemic has occurred in Xinjiang since this year (2020), we have prevented and controlled it well. Religious activities in the mosque have not been greatly affected. It is basically normal for the surrounding Muslims to come to worship in the mosque.
Some people will install cameras in mosques, falsely claiming to monitor mosques and punish Muslims. This is purely malicious smear. The sinister intention is to create contradictions between Muslims and non-Muslims and undermine religious harmony in Xinjiang.
[Explanation] Xu Guixiang said that so far, there have been no cases of violent terrorism in Xinjiang for four consecutive years.
At the same time, economic and social development and people's living standards have also been significantly improved.
[Concurrent] Xu Guixiang, Deputy Minister of the Propaganda Department of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Committee of the Communist Party of China
From 2014 to 2019, the average annual per capita disposable income of Xinjiang residents increased by 9.1%, more than 1.69 million rural housing projects were completed, more than 1.56 million urban affordable housing projects were completed, and more than 10 million people moved to new homes.
Under the current standards, all poor people have been lifted out of poverty, all 3666 poor villages have been withdrawn, and all 32 poor counties have taken off their hats.
It should be said that the problem of absolute poverty in Xinjiang has been resolved historically.
Wang Shibo Report from Beijing
Editor in charge: [Ji Xiang]