UNITED NATIONS, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- Dozens of countries on Tuesday expressed firm opposition to the United States and other countries for using Xinjiang to interfere in China's internal affairs.
They voiced their support for the counter-terrorism measures in Xinjiang through joint and separate statements made during a discussion on human rights at the Third Committee of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, also known as the Social, Humanitarian, and Cultural Committee.
Belarus made a joint statement on behalf of 54 countries, praising China's people-centered development philosophy and remarkable development achievement, and China's important contribution to the cause of international human rights.
The joint statement spoke positively of the results of counter-terrorism and de-radicalization measures in Xinjiang and noted that these measures have "effectively safeguarded the basic human rights of people of all ethnic groups."
The statement expressed opposition to countries "politicizing the human rights issue" and called on them to quit their baseless accusations against China.
More than 30 countries including Pakistan and Russia made individual statements. They commended China's tremendous efforts and achievements in the promotion and protection of human rights, voiced their support for the counter-terrorism measures in Xinjiang, and expressed opposition to countries who use human rights to provoke confrontation and interfere in the internal affairs of other countries.
Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the UN, refuted the baseless comments on Xinjiang made by the United States and some other countries.
Zhang said that the United States and a few other countries made "groundless accusations" against China, calling it a "gross interference in China's internal affairs" and a provocation.
"China firmly opposes and rejects it," he noted.
Zhang said that the U.S. statement is absolutely untrue.
"What China has achieved in human rights is clear to everyone. Xinjiang's preventive measures of counter-terrorism and de-radicalization are based on law and consistent with the will of the people," he said.
"This is not about human rights, and has nothing to do with racial discrimination," said the envoy. "The words of a few countries, however eloquent, cannot erase the historic achievements in Xinjiang's human rights cause, cannot negate the positive results of Xinjiang's counter-terrorism and de-radicalization efforts, and cannot shake China's determination to uphold national security and stability."
Zhang said that there is "hidden political agenda and ulterior motive" in the U.S. statement. Human rights are always an instrument for U.S. hegemonism and power politics. "Care for human rights is a hypocritical excuse used by the United States to interfere in the internal affairs of other countries."
"By making relentless efforts to defame China on Xinjiang, the United States aims to undermine China's stability and contain China's development. Such malicious attempt will never work," he added.
In July, 50 countries co-signed a letter to the President of the UN Human Rights Council and the High Commissioner for Human Rights to voice support for China regarding measures taken in Xinjiang.
"This fully shows that people of the world see the truth and have their own judgment," Zhang said.
"Countries that have the blood of ethnic minorities on their hands have no right to criticize others. China will stay firm on the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics and continue to work tirelessly to protect and promote human rights," said the envoy.
