In view of groundless accusations and fallacies about human rights situation in Xinjiang, China, it is of importance to tell the truth and show the reality. Falsehoods find no market among the fair-minded.

Here are 6 highlights of the second press conference on the Xinjiang-related issues held by Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China on January 11, 2021 in Beijing.

1. Disinformation: Concentration camps in Xinjiang.

Reality Check:

There has been no so-called "concentration camps" in Xinjiang. The vocational education and training centers legally established in Xinjiang were actually schools with the character of de-radicalization, which are no different in essence from the "community corrections", the Desistance and Disengagement Programme, and the de-radicalization centers in western countries, all being conducive attempt and proactive exploration for preventive counter terrorism and de-radicalization.

In October 2019, the trainees who participated in vocational education and training program all graduated. They have found stable employment and are living normal and improved lives with the help of government. At present, there is no vocational education and training center in Xinjiang.

"Xinjiang detained a million Muslim minorities" is groundless accusation and vicious smear. One NGO drew a conclusion that among 20 million people of Xinjiang, 10% were detained in the reeducation camps based on the interviews of 8 overseas Uyghurs. Some media reports alleging an astonishing number of a million Uyghurs being detained are based on shaky sources of information that don't stand up to examination.

2. Disinformation: Forced labors in Xinjiang.

Reality Check:

"Forced labor" is the biggest lie of the century made by persons and agencies in some Western countries. Their aim is to restrict and suppress the relevant Chinese authorities and companies and contain China's development. These countries both create lies and take egregious actions, such as baring entry of cotton products and tomatoes from Xinjiang. Such actions violate international trade rules and principles of market economy, undermine global industrial and value chains, and damage the interests of companies and consumers all over the world including those in Western countries, bringing no good to anyone.

Forced labour are not identified by the imagination of some nations, organizations and people, and the international community has clear definition in this regard.

Firstly, the employment of all ethic groups in Xinjiang is protected by law. Xinjiang abides by the spirits advocated by the Constitution of International Labor Organizations and other relevant conventions, and strictly follows the Labor Law of the People's Republic of China, and put the issues of establishment, operation, supervision, adjustment of labor relations under the framework of rule of law, and severely prohibit the forced labor through violence, threat or illegal restriction of personal freedom.

Secondly, all ethic groups in Xinjiang enjoys full freedom of employment. They can choose their professions, go any places and do any jobs at their own will. What all level of governments do are to improve employment policies, establish information sharing platform of employment, build a favorable environment for employment, create conditions for all ethic groups to find satisfied employment and receive stable incomes, and protect employments rights of them to the largest degree.

Thirdly, labor rights and interests of all ethic groups are protected by law. Their rights of receiving work incomes, rest and vacation, working security and hygiene and social insurance and welfare are protected by law. Wherever in Xinjiang and other regions, the rights of religion belief, culture and languages of all ethic groups are respected and protected by the law.

3. Disinformation: Forces sterilization, abortion and birth control on Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities in Xinjiang.

Reality Check:

Xinjiang's ethnic minority population including the Uyghur has been increasing. The data from 2010 to 2018 shows Xinjiang's permanent residents increased by 3.0518 million (13.99%) to 24.8676 million from 21.8158 million. Among that, ethnic minorities population increased by 2.8749 million (22.14%) to 15.8608 million from 12.9859 million; Uyghur population was up 2.5469 million (25.04%) to 12.7184 million from 10.1715 million; Han population rose by 0.1769 million (2%) to 9.0068 million from 8.8299 million. Uyghur's population growth rate was not only higher than Xinjiang's population growth rate, but also higher than that of ethnic minorities and a lot more higher than Han's.

4. Disinformation: The freedom of religious belief is not guaranteed in Xinjiang.

Reality Check:

Respecting and protecting the freedom of religious belief is a long-term basic national policy of the Chinese government. The Chinese Constitution stipulates that the citizens have the freedom of religious belief. No state organs, social organizations or individuals may compel citizens to believe in or not believe in any religion, nor may they discriminate against citizens who believe in or not believe in a religion. The state protects normal religious activities.

Normal religious activities of Muslims of all ethnic groups have been fully protected. It is totally up to their own will to participate in normal religious activities in accordance with their doctrines, rules and customs in mosque or at home, such as chanting the Koran, attending prayers, expounding the Koran, fasting and celebrating Islamic festivals.

The publication and distribution of Islamic classics are fully guaranteed. Xinjiang has set up an Islamic Religious Affairs Guidance Committee which has organized the translation and publication of Islamic classics in Mandarin, Uygur, Kazak and Kirgiz editions, such as the Koran, Irshad al-Sari li Sharh Sahih al-Bukhari. All these books have been distributed free of charge to religious staff and mosques.

There are ten Islamic schools in Xinjiang, including Xinjiang Islamic Institute and its eight branches across the region, as well as Xinjiang Islamic Scripture School. The government has helped to improve the conditions of these religious schools, which cultivate nearly 1,000 graduates as new imams every year.

The right of the religious circle to participate in administration and discuss state affairs has been fully protected. More than 1,000 religious personages of all ethnic groups serve as deputies of the people's congress and members of the CPPCC committee at different levels, exercising their right to participating in and discussing politics, and to democratic supervision.

5. Disinformation: Families and friends in Xinjiang have lost contact or gone missing.

Reality Check:

The communication between people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang and their relatives abroad is free and normal. After investigation and verification, there are three main reasons to explain: First, some overseas Xinjiang natives have joined the "East Turkestan" forces, their relatives in Xinjiang are unwilling to contact them. Second, the relatives of some Xinjiang natives living overseas are under criminal detention by the public security organs on suspicion of crimes such as rape, drug trafficking, robbery, and so on, which forbids such communication according to law. Third, some overseas Xinjiang natives and their relatives may wrongly remember each others telephone number or have changed their numbers, resulting in disconnection in their communications. Fourth, some overseas Xinjiang natives who are bewitched and coerced by the "three forces" deliberately made up lies about the so-called "loss of contact."

6. Disinformation: Foreign media unable to access Xinjiang.

Reality Check:

China has always been open and welcome to foreign journalists who come to Xinjiang to cover and report news. The Regulations of the People's Republic of China on Coverage by Resident Foreign News Agencies and Foreign Journalists stipulate that legitimate rights of resident foreign news agencies and foreign journalists shall be protected, and their lawful news coverage and reporting activities shall be facilitated. Meanwhile, resident foreign news agencies and journalists shall abide by Chinese laws, regulations, rules and professional ethics of journalism, conduct interviews and reports in an objective and fair manner, and shall not engage in activities inconsistent with the nature of their organizations or the identity of journalists.