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Xinjiang ‘genocide’ claims are ‘fake news’, Chinese foreign minister says
- Wang Yi hits back at Western claims of genocidal treatment of ethnic minority groups in the region as lies designed to undermine security
- China is under growing criticism from abroad over its policies related to Uygurs, Kazakhs and Kyrgyz communities
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Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi lashed out at Western critics of China’s policies in Xinjiang on Sunday, describing as “extremely absurd” and “downright lies” mounting claims of genocide.
On the sidelines of China’s annual parliamentary sessions in Beijing, Wang dismissed the genocide claims as “rumours fabricated with ulterior motives”.
“Some Western politicians would rather listen to lies fabricated by a few individuals than to care for the voices of 25 million Xinjiang people of various ethnic groups,” state news agency Xinhua quoted Wang as saying.
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“This only shows they have little concern for the truth and would rather indulge themselves in political manoeuvring and fabricating issues on Xinjiang to undermine regional security and stability and obstruct China’s development progress.”
The foreign minister’s comments are the latest in a series of Chinese rhetorical challenges to a growing list of countries condemning Beijing’s treatment of people from ethnic minorities in the far western region.
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But the efforts have not convinced critics who say that an independent, impartial and transparent assessment of conditions in Xinjiang has not been possible. Activists say they cannot get visas, travel freely or ensure people they talk to in Xinjiang are protected from retaliation.
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