BEIJING, June 17 (Xinhua) -- China on Monday dismissed U.S. remarks on under-secretary-general of the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Office Vladimir Voronkov's trip to Xinjiang as "ridiculous," saying it's "futile" to level groundless accusations against China and the United Nations.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said at a press briefing that Voronkov visited China from Thursday to Saturday last week, during which he learned about Xinjiang's counter-terrorism and de-extremism efforts.
"The visit was very successful and strengthened cooperation between China and the UN in the field of counter-terrorism. The UN also made positive comments on the visit," Lu said.
In a phone call with the U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on last Friday, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan conveyed "deep concerns" about Voronkov's visit.
Sullivan claimed that the visit is highly inappropriate and is putting at risk the UN's reputation and credibility on counter-terrorism and human rights.
Lu said China has recently invited other foreign officials, diplomats, journalists and scholars to Xinjiang. After the site visit, many said the visit was very helpful for them to understand the real situation in Xinjiang. "They all spoke positively of the measures taken by the Chinese government and believed China's experience is worth learning from," he added.
"U.S. officials don't want to hear and see the international community's fair and objective voice on the situation in China's Xinjiang. This is nothing new," Lu said.
In March this year, the 46th session of the Council of Foreign Minister of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) adopted a resolution expressing appreciation of China's efforts to care for Chinese Muslims as well as its willingness to strengthen cooperation with China. "The United States then also expressed its dissatisfaction," he said.
"By smearing the Chinese government's policies and measures in Xinjiang, the United States has interfered in China's internal affairs, to which China has made clear its solemn attitude and firm opposition on several occasions," Lu said.
"This time, the U.S. side made another outrageous remark about Voronkov's visit to Xinjiang, making groundless accusations against China and the UN, which is futile," he added.
Lu said it is part of the normal cooperation between China and the UN to receive officials from the UN Secretariat, adding that Voronkov's visit to Xinjiang is also part of the itinerary agreed upon between China and the UN.
"The United States is in no position to criticize China's normal cooperation with the United Nations," Lu said.
"The U.S. wanted China to explain the de-radicalization measures it has taken in Xinjiang, but when China opened its door and invited UN officials to visit Xinjiang, it accused the UN visit of being 'inappropriate'. What kind of logic is this? The U.S. actions are very hypocritical and unreasonable," he said.
