China News Agency, Urumqi, June 14th: Why do you say that the protection of the rights and interests of women and children in Xinjiang is a true portrayal of the progress of Xinjiang's human rights cause?
——Interview with Zuliyati Simayi, Vice President of Xinjiang University
Author Wang Xiaojun Gou Jipeng
In recent years, the US and the West have been smearing China's Xinjiang, repeating the so-called "persecution of women and children" lies in Xinjiang, which have long been self-defeating in the face of facts: Xinjiang attaches great importance to the work of women and children, and strives to solve outstanding problems in the development of women and children. All legitimate rights and interests are effectively protected.
Why do you say that the protection of the rights and interests of women and children in Xinjiang is a true portrayal of the progress of the human rights cause in Xinjiang?
Zuliyati Simayi, Vice President of Xinjiang University and Dean of the School of Marxism, recently accepted an exclusive interview with China News Agency "East and West Questions" for interpretation.
The following is a summary of the interview transcript:
China News Agency reporter: In January this year, Xinjiang issued the "Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Women's Development Plan (2021-2025)" and "Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Children's Development Plan (2021-2025)" (hereinafter referred to as "two plans"), "two plans". What is the significance of the "Plan" for the protection of rights and interests of women and children in Xinjiang?
Zuliati Simayi:
Women are an important force for human civilization and social progress, and children are the future of the country and the hope of the nation.
In order to further consolidate and develop the rights of women and children in the fields of health, education, social security and welfare, family, environment, law, etc., the "two plans" put forward main goals and strategic measures, requiring the implementation of the basic national policy of equality between men and women, and insisting that children Prioritize the principle of improving and perfecting the institutional mechanism that promotes equality between men and women and is most conducive to the all-round development of women and children.
The "two plans" undoubtedly provide a major opportunity for the all-round development of women's undertakings in Xinjiang and an important guarantee for the innovative development of children's undertakings.
It is of great significance to accurately grasp the new development stage, thoroughly implement the development concept of the new era, and promote the high-quality development of women and children of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang while accelerating the construction of a new development pattern.
On March 8, 2022, the city of Urumqi, Xinjiang held an event to celebrate the "March 8th" International Working Women's Day.
China News Agency reporter Liu Xinshe
China News Service: Since the founding of the People's Republic of China, what achievements have been made in the protection of the rights and interests of women and children in Xinjiang?
Zuliyati Simayi:
Since the founding of New China, Xinjiang has always attached great importance to the protection of women and children of all ethnic groups, and has continued to promote the steady development of women and children’s careers, effectively protecting the legitimate rights and interests of women and children of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang, fully demonstrating Significant achievements have been made in the development of the cause of women and children of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang.
In recent years, the autonomous region has implemented a number of policies and formulated laws and regulations on the protection of women's rights and interests such as the Measures for the Implementation of the Law of the People's Republic of China on the Protection of Women's Rights and Interests in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, and the Measures for the Implementation of the Law of the People's Republic of China on Anti-Domestic Violence in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. The Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Regulations on the Protection of Minors, and the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Regulations on the Prevention of Juvenile Crimes, and other laws and regulations on the protection of children's rights and interests, effectively protect the practical rights and interests of women and children of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang.
At present, women of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang have more ways to participate in decision-making and management, their economic status has been steadily improved, their health status has been significantly improved, their education level has been further improved, their development environment has been increasingly optimized, and their sense of gain, happiness and security has been continuously enhanced.
Children of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang enjoy equal basic public services, universal benefits and superior welfare guarantees, and a harmonious and friendly family and social environment. Children of all ethnic groups have rights in the fields of health, safety, education, welfare, family, environment, and legal protection. Always fully covered.
In 2021, my team and I went to Yili, Tacheng, Hotan, Kashgar, Aksu and other places for field research, and witnessed with my own eyes the female power of women cadres of all ethnic groups in grassroots organizations.
One of the "post-90s" Uyghur women impressed me deeply. She went to an embroidery factory in Urumqi as an apprentice in her early years. After completing her studies, she returned to her hometown and started a business with the support of the local government. Now she has become the head of the embroidery factory.
I also saw pictures of children of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang reading books in bright and spacious classrooms and playing in flat and open playgrounds.
Currently, there are kindergartens in every village in Xinjiang, which basically achieves full coverage of 9-year compulsory education, and 15 years of free education from kindergarten to high school in the four prefectures in southern Xinjiang.
According to statistics, from 1949 to 2020, the number of primary schools in Xinjiang has increased from 1,335 to 3,641, the number of ordinary middle schools has increased from 9 to 1,211, and the number of ordinary institutions of higher education has increased from 1 to 56.
Students at the Central Primary School in Tuokezake Town, Shufu County, Kashgar Prefecture, Xinjiang practice calligraphy in a classroom.
China News Agency reporter Liu Xinshe
China News Service reporter: Why do you say this is a true portrayal of the progress of human rights in Xinjiang?
Zuliati Simayi:
Everyone plays a vital role in the development of society.
Without the liberation of women and the development of children, there will be no human progress. Respecting women and protecting children is an important symbol of social civilization and progress.
In China, the Party and the state have always attached great importance to the development and progress of the cause of women and children.
As a multi-ethnic area in China, Xinjiang is no different.
Women of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang have been effectively guaranteed their rights and interests in all aspects.
For example, in terms of health, women of all ethnic groups have obtained higher-quality, efficient, and affordable medical and health care services by further promoting the reform of medical care, medical insurance, and pharmaceutical linkages, and by coordinating the reform of the regulatory system.
Among the 5,617 questionnaires that my team and I surveyed in 2021, nearly 98.9% of the female interviewers have more than one free physical examination opportunity per year, which has greatly avoided the occurrence of major diseases; in terms of employment, we will continue to increase support and provide multi-channel assistance. Women have achieved employment, supported willing women to start businesses, and achieved a substantial increase in women's income.
Women in Shache County, Kashgar Prefecture, Xinjiang participated in free health examinations.
China News Agency reporter Liu Xinshe
Children of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang have also received practical protection of their rights and interests in all aspects.
For example, in terms of education, Xinjiang continues to promote the development of universal and inclusive pre-school education, implement pre-school education action plans, expand the supply of inclusive pre-school education resources, and continue to develop more abundant and high-quality pre-school education.
At the same time, Xinjiang has continuously promoted the balanced development of compulsory education and the integration of urban and rural areas, consolidating the basic and balanced results of compulsory education, and steadily promoting high-quality and balanced development.
According to statistics, in 2021, the gross enrollment rate of preschool education in Xinjiang will reach 98.19%, the consolidation rate of nine-year compulsory education will reach 95.69%, and the gross enrollment rate of senior high school will reach 98.87%.
Preschool children in Urumqi, Xinjiang enjoy games.
China News Agency reporter Liu Xinshe
Such vivid facts and cases are numerous in Xinjiang.
There is no doubt that the protection of the rights of women and children of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang and the promotion of the development of the cause of women and children in Xinjiang are the meaning of the human rights cause in Xinjiang and are integrated into every aspect of Xinjiang's economic and social development.
China News Service: What do you think of the current international reports about Xinjiang that are untrue?
Zuliyati Simayi: At
present, the society in Xinjiang continues to be stable, and people of all ethnic groups live and work in peace and contentment.
Over the years, I have conducted field investigations in many places in northern and southern Xinjiang. In the conversations and interactions with people of all ethnic groups, I have felt their enthusiasm for life, affirmation of the status quo, yearning for the future, and the achievements of the people of all ethnic groups. Sense, happiness, and security are beyond words.
The women's model team of Kuotan Village, Sahan Township, Yingjisha County, Xinjiang used the slack time to practice the red carpet catwalk.
China News Agency reporter Liu Xinshe
In addition, many international people have also seen the real situation of human rights protection in Xinjiang and expressed high recognition of the development of human rights in Xinjiang.
For example, Lightfoot has released videos on Xinjiang-related issues such as "Foreign Media Lies in Xinjiang"; Gao Yousi, a well-known video blogger from Israel who lives in China all the year round, will give a detailed introduction to his true feelings and views on Xinjiang in an interview with the media in 2021 .
The actions of these insightful people truly and objectively reflect the human rights situation in Xinjiang.
(Finish)
Interviewee Profile:
Zuliati Simayi is currently a member of the Standing Committee of the Party Committee of Xinjiang University, vice president, and dean of the School of Marxism.
National High-level Talent Special Support Program Philosophy and Social Sciences Leading Talents, National Model Individuals for National Unity and Progress, and National Women's Meritorious Models.
Member of the Teaching Steering Committee of Sociology in Higher Education Institutions of the Ministry of Education, Deputy Secretary-General of the Ninth Council of the Chinese Political Society, and Deputy Secretary-General of the Chinese Anthropology and Ethnology Research Association.