China thanks Kazakhstan for ‘understanding and support’ on Xinjiang de-radicalisation scheme
Beijing voices its appreciation for Kazakhstan’s tacit agreement to programme where western region’s Muslims are focus of efforts to ‘banish extremism’
The Chinese government’s senior diplomat has thanked Kazakhstan for its support for a de-radicalisation programme in China’s far western region of Xinjiang, and said others should follow Beijing’s example.
Opponents of the programme say China is operating internment camps for Uygurs and other Muslims who live in Xinjiang, although the government describes them as vocational training centres and says there is a genuine need to prevent extremist thinking and violence.
Foreign Minister Wang Yi said after meeting Kazakh counterpart Beibut Atamkulov in Beijing that de-radicalisation measures in Xinjiang were very effective, the Chinese foreign ministry said on Thursday.
The steps had “vigorously protected local security and stability and made an important contribution to promoting regional peace and stability”, Wang said.
The measures also gave a “useful reference for the international community in cracking down on violent terror forces and banishing extremist thought”, he said.
“We appreciated the Kazakh government’s understanding and support for China’s position, and we will never let any person or any force damage the friendship and mutual trust between China and Kazakhstan,” Wang said.