Q:Although the caretaker Dutch cabinet has expressed that the Netherlands will base its position on genocide upon judgments by international courts and tribunals, clear-cut academic research, and determinations by the UN, thus opposed voting on motion accusing China of committing genocide in Xinjiang by the House of Representatives, the Dutch House of Representatives still passed the motion that declares genocide is taking place in China against the Uyghur minority. What is your comment?

A: In total disregard of facts and common sense, the Xinjiang-related motion passed by the Dutch House of Representatives has deliberately smeared China and grossly interfered in China's internal affairs. The Chinese side strongly condemns and firmly opposes that.

Facts speak louder than words, genocide in Xinjiang is an outright lie. In recent years, Uyghur population in Xinjiang has enjoyed steady growth and their living standard has seen significant improvement. From 2010 to 2018, the population of the Uyghurs in Xinjiang increased by 25%, much higher than that of the Han population, which is 2 percent. Over the past 40 years, the Uyghur population in Xinjiang has doubled. Over the past 60 years, average life expectancy in Xinjiang increased from 30 to 72, GDP in Xinjiang expanded by over 200 times, with per capita GDP growing by nearly 40 times. All residents in Xinjiang fully enjoy their rights, including the right to subsistence and development. Languages, traditional cultures and customs of all ethnic minorities in Xinjiang have been well protected and inherited. How can you call this a genocide?

Genocide is clearly-defined in international law. The Netherlands is renowned for hosting many international law organizations, but by hyping up Xinjiang issue before the Dutch election, some of its parliament members are taking this issue as leverage for political gains, there is no respect for facts and rule of law at all. This fully demonstrates their ignorance and bias towards China, as well as their selfishness and narrowness of mind.

Xinjiang-related issues are never about human rights, ethnicity, or religion, but about combating violent terrorism and secession. They are completely China's internal affairs, and tolerate no interfere from any foreign country. The Xinjiang region of China has been earnestly implementing the UN Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism, drawing on similar practices of other countries and taking de-radicalization measures in accordance with law. All this is fully consistent with the principles and spirit of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. The so-called concentration camp in Xinjiang with millions of Uyghurs is totally groundless. Thanks to the efforts of the local people of all ethnic groups, there has been no violent terrorist case for more than four years in a row in Xinjiang. The region now enjoys social stability and a sound development momentum. And the local people are living a safe and happy life.The Chinese people have the best say in the human rights situation in China.

We strongly urge these parliament members with ulterior motives to stop their wrongdoing before it's too late, stop interfering with China's internal affairs, stop using the Xinjiang-related issue to seek their own interests, stop jeopardizing Sino-Dutch relations. The Chinese side is resolute in safeguarding China's sovereignty, security and development interests, and the attempt to contain China's development through the afore-mentioned Xinjiang-related motion will never succeed.