Remarks at the Launching of the Photo Exhibition "Home: Glimpse of People from Various Ethnic Groups in Xinjiang"
2020-03-02 18:02

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

A big welcome to you all. The more than 100 pictures and videos depicts presents to you a beautiful, open, confident and richly-endowed Xinjiang that enjoys stable development, solidarity and harmony.

Today Xinjiang is at its golden time with the most rapid and stable development in history. 70% of its fiscal budget is allocated for public well-being, and sustained efforts are made to public projects in employment, education, medical care and social security. People’s living quality is improving, 99.9% of school-age children are enrolled and everyone has access to free health checkup. The right of people of various ethnic groups to use their own spoken and written languages is protected under the law, and their right to freedom of religious faith is guaranteed. This year, all rural residents below the poverty line will be lifted out of poverty. Absolute poverty will be eradicated by the end of the year, and Xinjiang will become an all-round moderately prosperous society as the rest of China.

These remarkable achievements in Xinjiang won’t be possible without a safe and stable environment. Xinjiang prioritizes safeguarding the fundamental interests of all ethnic groups and has taken a series of counter-terrorism and deradicalization measures, including setting up vocational education and training centers. These measures have greatly improved the security situation in Xinjiang and protected human rights of people from all ethnic groups. No terrorist attack has occurred in Xinjiang for more than three years. Trainees of the deradicalization program at vocational education and training centers have all graduated. With the help of the government, they have got stable jobs and are reintegrated into society.

Living a happy life is the primary human right. I am sure this exhibition will present you a true Xinjiang. We have extended invitation to Madam Michelle Bachelet, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, to visit China, including Xinjiang this year and we stay in close contact with her Office in this regard. We welcome all of you to visit Xinjiang and see for yourselves the development in Xinjiang where people live a happy life.

Thank you very much.