China claims Erdogan backing for internment

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey has backed Beijing’s de-radicalisation scheme for Muslim Uighur minorities, according to Chinese state media.

‘‘Turkey firmly supports the One China policy, and it’s a fact that residents of all ethnicities in China’s Xinjiang are living happily amid China’s development and prosperity,’’ Erdogan said, as reported by Xinhua, the official news agency.

If confirmed, Erdogan’s comments would represent a stark reversal by the Turkish government , which has previously said that Beijing’s treatment of local Muslims in the far western Chinese region of Xinjiang was a ‘‘great embarrassment for humanity’’.

Critics say that the deradicalisation scheme amounts to the internment of Chinese Muslims. However, during a state visit to China, Erdogan was quoted as saying: ‘‘Turkey will not allow anyone to harm Turkey-China relations. Turkey firmly opposes extremism.’’

The international community has been critical of China for setting up what Beijing says are vocational and educational centres needed to combat Islamic extremism in Xinjiang, home to the mostly Muslim Uighur minority. Many Western countries consider these centres to be internment camps. Turkey has previously accused China of ‘‘genocide’’ over its policy but Ankara has toned down its opposition more recently as Erdogan has sought to build closer relations with China and Russia at a time when his relationship with western capitals has become increasingly fractious.

Turkish officials did not comment on the reported remarks but if true they would mark a diplomatic victory for Beijing. China strongly disputes reports from human rights groups and western media that hundreds of thousands of residents in the vast region bordering central Asia are disappearing into detention centres and are subject to torture.

The Chinese government insists that these are centres providing free courses on law, the Chinese language and occupational skills.