On the evening of 19 February 2022, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi was invited to attend the China session of the 58th Munich Security Conference via video link in Beijing, and delivered a keynote speech. In response to a question on so-called “forced labor” and “re-education camps” in Xinjiang, Wang Yi elaborated on China’s solemn position.

Wang Yi stated at the beginning that there has never been any so-called systematic “forced labor” or “re-education camp” in Xinjiang, and all these accusations are nothing but fabricated lies and disinformation.

Wang Yi noted that Xinjiang is adjacent to a concentrated area of terrorist and extremist forces. In previous years, Xinjiang faced with serious threat from foreign terrorist forces, and some extremist ideologies had penetrated into the region. To deal with the imminent threat of violent terrorist forces and protect the safety of the people, the government of Xinjiang responded to the call of the United Nations and drew on the practices of the UK, France and other countries as well as international practices to conduct deradicalization through education, in a bid to eradicate the breeding ground of extremism. Such efforts have produced visible results, and are welcomed and supported by people of all ethnicities in Xinjiang. In the past five years, Xinjiang has been free from violent terrorist incidents, people of all ethnicities have lived a happy and peaceful life, and Xinjiang’s economic and social development has made steady progress. Isn’t this a good thing? Isn’t this a contribution to the global counterterrorism cause? Isn’t this a successful practice of preventive efforts against terrorism? It deserves full recognition of the international community.

Wang Yi stressed that given all the disinformation about Xinjiang, Xinjiang has opened its door to the world and welcomes people from foreign countries to visit and learn about the truth. Before the pandemic, Xinjiang had hosted visits by over 2,000 government officials, religious figures and journalists from some 100 countries and international organizations. They saw with their own eyes a peaceful, harmonious, stable and prosperous Xinjiang, and a place where religious freedom is fully enjoyed by people of all ethnicities. That is the truth and fact about Xinjiang. At this moment, COVID-19 makes traveling harder than normally is. But once the pandemic is put under effective control and the situation improves, we continue to welcome all interested people from around the world to visit Xinjiang, and the people of Xinjiang will be happy to have thorough interactions with all visitors. But one thing is clear: the people of all ethnicities in Xinjiang do not welcome any investigation based on presumption of guilt, and firmly oppose all kinds of prejudice and groundless accusations on China’s ethnic policy.

Wang Yi noted that China made it clear a long time ago that it welcomes UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Ms. Michelle Bachelet to visit China, including to Xinjiang. That has never been a problem. It is a normal exchange between China and international organizations. The Chinese side is communicating with Ms. Bachelet and her office to work out a thoughtful and detailed program. China respects the High Commissioner’s personal wishes, and trusts that she will also respect China’s sovereignty, laws and regulations. Wang Yi expressed his confidence that when Ms. Bachelet visits China, she will be able to see a country of constant progress and a peaceful and stable Xinjiang where people of all ethnicities live in harmony. Facts are facts. Rumors, lies and disinformation cannot stand up to facts.