On March 22, Canadian Foreign Minister Garneau issued so-called joint statement with Foreign Secretary of UK and Secretary of State of the US and once again made groundless accusations against China on Xinjiang-related issues. Canada also announced so-called sanctions on relevant Chinese individuals and entity. By doing so, the Canadian side has grossly interfered in China's internal affairs and violated international law and basic norms governing international relations. This is a serious provocation against the Chinese people. The Chinese side expresses its firm opposition and strong condemnation.

Xinjiang-related issues are never about human rights, ethnicity, or religion, but about combating violent terrorism and secession. The preventive counter-terrorism and de-radicalization measures taken in Xinjiang have effectively curbed the frequent occurrence of terrorist activities, so that the life safety of people of all ethnic groups is fundamentally guaranteed, and greater progress has been made in local economy and living standards. This is to protect to the greatest extent the basic human rights of people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang. These aforementioned measures on combating violent terrorism are fully endorsed by people in Xinjiang and widely supported by the international community. Since 2018, more than 1,200 people from over 100 countries have visited Xinjiang. That includes foreign diplomats posted in China, journalists, and religious groups. They saw with their own eyes the real Xinjiang and commended its exemplary counter-terrorism and de-radicalization efforts. Facts prove that the so-call " detention camp", "forced labour" and "force sterilization" are totally groundless and nonsense.

For some time, the Canadian side has been stoking trouble on Xinjiang-related issues time and again and making unwarranted comments on human rights situation in China. The Chinese people are in the best position to judge how China's human rights conditions are. On the contrary, it is Canada that should reflect deeply on its terrible record on human rights. In history, Canada practiced genocide systems including the residential schools against the indigenous people. Until today, many indigenous people do not even have access to safe drinking water. Systematic racism is severe in Canada, and violence against Asians has increased significantly during the pandemic. A recent survey also shows that Canada's prison system is rife with discrimination and racism. Canada is simply not qualified to be "a human rights preacher" and is certainly in no position to judge China on this front.

In fact, Canada and a few of its allies do not care about the truth of Xinjiang-related issues or the human rights situation of the people in Xinjiang. The purpose they have been hyping up these issues is to undermine the lasting stability in Xinjiang under the cover of human rights and to create disturbances and obstacles to China's economic and social development. Lies repeated a thousand times are still lies. No matter how serious their arguments are, they cannot hide their dirty politics. The Chinese people and international community see this clearly.

I would like to stress once again that, the Chinese government is resolute in upholding its sovereignty, security and development interests and in maintaining development, stability and ethnic unity in Xinjiang. Canada's resort to ganging up and imposing sanctions on China will never succeed and will be met with strong fightback from the Chinese side. Those playing with fire will end up burning themselves badly. The Chinese side urges the Canadian side to face up to the reality, respect the facts, stop hyping up Xinjiang-related issues and interfering in China's internal affairs, otherwise it will end up humiliating itself.