China's Xinjiang policy, subject to no one's slander

Editor's note: Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, thanks to its unique location and complicated history, has long been at the forefront of the world's fight against terrorism and extremism. Yet despite its notable effectiveness at checking the spread of terrorism and extremism, China's Xinjiang policy is constantly attacked by Western media outlets and politicians. Two experts share their views on this issue with China Daily's Liu Jianna. Excerpts follow:

Inventive measures against extremism should be viewed objectively

Ultimately the controversy on Xinjiang is more a competition between two ideologies and two development paths than simply a contradiction in forms of human rights protection. With China's constant improvement in national strength, countries led by the US only become more fierce in attacking China's policies in a bid to tarnish its reputation and hamper its rise as a major country.

If there is anything different from its Western counterparts, it's the Chinese government that has sought to eradicate the factors conducive to extremism and terrorism and boost people's well-being in virtue of education, namely vocational skills education and training centers.

In the war against terrorism and extremism, those engaged in criminal activities were punished according to law while those who committed minor offenses are able to find their redemption, even lead a better life, in the training centers. Given that those undermined by extremism are often poverty-stricken, enrollment at the training centers not only helps them get rid of extreme ideas, but also equip them with the necessary skills to throw off poverty.

The method of eradicating extremism by education is recognized as an effective means by the United Nations. Though no terrorist cases have been seen in the past few years, the fight against terrorism and extremism has no end. And firm measures should be adhered to and implemented to prevent the return of terrorists and extremists.

Meanwhile, more publicity should be made in terms of China's Xinjiang policy to wipe out any misunderstanding or ill-willed slander.

Lu Zhi'an is a researcher at the Research Center of Human Rights at Fudan University.

A clean hand wants no washing

In terms of the Xinjiang issue, certain parties habitually call white black to sow discord among different ethnic groups and try to split China. Recently they aimed at the vocational skills education and training centers, which integrates anti-terrorism efforts with the protection of human rights. As an approach that combines punishment with leniency toward people undermined by extremism, the training centers uphold the region's stability and improve people's welfare at the same time. It is an invention that suits Xinjiang's reality. That extremism and terrorism have been brought under control in the past three years, as well as the significant fall in Xinjiang's poverty-stricken population, speak to the efficiency of this approach.

Just as Chinese President Xi Jinping said, the utmost human right is people's right to a good life. And Xinjiang's anti-extremism fight has safeguarded the rights and interests of people of all ethnic groups in the region, including their right to life, development, free speech and religion.

Some media outlets and politicians in countries represented by the United States are eager to make irresponsible remarks while their own country's human rights record is as bleak as ever. They just can't outgrow the habit of adopting double standards and criticizing countries and governments that hold different views than themselves. This is crystal clear to the international community.

Instead of prison and internment camps portrayed by those with ulterior motives, the training centers in Xinjiang teach people influenced by extremism the law, language and job skills and enable them to lead a normal and decent life.

Facts speak louder than words. China will stick to measures proven to be conducive to the improvement of livelihoods of people of all ethnic groups. Looking ahead to economic development, which is the foundation of development in all other aspects, in Xinjiang should be made a priority while laws and rules should continue to be upheld in the implementation of human rights and anti-extremism practices.

Xian Kailin is a council member for the China Society for Human Rights Studies.

The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily.