Uighur camps just ‘gossip’, says Wang

BEIJING: The world should ignore “gossip” about China’s Xinjiang region and trust authorities there, the Chinese government’s top diplomat said yesterday when asked if Beijing would allow international observers to inspect camps holding Muslims there.

Western countries including Canada, France, Germany, and the United States have called on China to close down camps in Xinjiang, where activists say as many as 1 million members of the Uighur minority and other Muslims are being detained. China has said in the past that Xinjiang faces a threat from Islamist militants and separatists. It rejects all accusations of mistreatment and denies mass internment.

After initial blanket denials, however, Chinese officials have said some people guilty of minor offences were being sent to “vocational” training centres, where they are taught work skills and legal knowledge aimed at curbing militancy.

State Councillor Wang Yi said he hoped people would understand and support the Xinjiang government’s efforts to combat terrorism, end the spread of extremism and provide for social stability.

“[People] should not listen to gossip or rumour, because the Xinjiang regional government, of course, understands the situation in Xinjiang best,” said Mr Wang, who is also foreign minister.

Reports of mass detentions and strict surveillance of Uighurs and other Muslims have prompted the US to consider sanctions against organisations linked to suspected human rights abuses. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang inspects an honour guard with Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong ahead of the Asean summit.