Xinjiang's Communist Party boss joins China's Muslims in breaking the fast for end of Ramadan
Region's party chief joins a meal to mark the end of the fasting month of Ramadan after international criticism of China's religious policies
The Communist Party chief of the far western Xinjiang region has defended its religious policies, joining Muslim residents for a meal marking the end of the fasting month of Ramadan in a move analysts said was in response to growing concerns over mainland limits on observing the holy month.
But some observers dismissed the Han official's gesture as a stunt that would do little to change the way the country's ethnic policies were perceived.
Xinjiang party boss Zhang Chunxian joined more than 200 Muslims at an unnamed scripture school for the Iftar meal on Friday night, the region's cybersecurity office said on Saturday night.
"It's the first time in Xinjiang's history that the region's top leaders have joined Muslims for Iftar," regional deputy party chief Shohrat Zakir was quoted as saying at the banquet.
Calling on attendees to uphold the fight against terrorists and separatists, Zhang said the constitution protected religious freedom. "Ramadan is the most precious month for Muslims … I would like to convey my best wishes to you and to all Muslims in Xinjiang," he said.
Zhang's attendance comes after a row between Beijing and Ankara over reports that party members, civil servants, students and teachers were told not to observe Ramadan in Xinjiang.