China.org.cn | December 11, 2019
Yomiuri Shimbun:
Recently, it was reported that the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) obtained "classified documents" concerning Xinjiang, claiming to "expose the inner workings of mass detention camps in Xinjiang". Could you clarify whether this document is authentic or not? If the document is fake, what is the basis for your judgment? Thank you.
Shohrat Zakir:
I would like to invite Mr. Xu Hairong to take this question.
Xu Hairong：
I want to emphasize again that there is no such thing as a so-called "detention camp" in Xinjiang. The so-called reports released by the New York Times, the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists and other overseas media and organizations have wantonly discredited the vocational education and training centers and smeared the Chinese government's genuine efforts in counter-terrorism and de-radicalization. China expresses strong indignation and firm opposition to such reportage. China's Xinjiang policy is transparent, righteous and consistent. The Party and government adhere to the people-centered development approach and continuously improve the sense of fulfillment, happiness and security of people of all ethnic groups. Any attack, slander or smear on Xinjiang is futile. The efforts made by officials and people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang to realize social stability and long-term security and order deserve fair comments by the international community. Thank you.
Xinhua:
Xinjiang, especially southern Xinjiang, is a neighborhood of ethnic minorities, and also a State-level destitute area featuring a tough task in poverty alleviation. At present, how many poverty-stricken counties and population are there in Xinjiang? And what kinds of difficulties and challenges do you face during the poverty alleviation work? Thank you.
Shohrat Zakir:
Mr. Parhat Rozi will answer your question.
Parhat Rozi:
Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region always adheres to the basic strategy of targeted poverty alleviation, and we are making all-out efforts to win the battle. This year, we have earnestly implemented a series of strategies to alleviate poverty, including "two no worries, three guarantees", "seven batches" and "three intensified efforts. The "two no worries" refer to achieving the goal of poverty alleviation so that those who have been living in poverty no longer have to worry about food and clothing. And the "three guarantees" refer to achieving the goal of guaranteeing compulsory education, basic medical treatment and housing security. The "seven batches" refer to supporting the poor households through labor reallocation, industrial development, relocation, eco-compensation, service purchase, social security, and training poor people into border guards. And the "three intensified efforts" refer to getting people out of poverty through promoting education, improving health care service, and building more infrastructures. By doing so, we have made great progress. From 2014 to 2018, a total of 588,700 households involving 2.3147 million people have been lifted out of poverty, so that we have been able to remove 2,131 villages and 13 counties from the poverty list. The poverty incidence rate has dropped to 6.51% from 22.48% in early 2014.
We will maintain our focus on impoverished people with targeted and differentiated measures, and pool all resources at our disposal to win the battle against poverty. In 2020, all rural residents are expected to have been lifted out of poverty; by then, people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang will become members of a moderately prosperous society in all respects, along with all other parts of China. Thank you.