China claims Tibet and Xinjiang are ‘shining examples’ of human rights ‘progress’

China said that the country is always committed to protecting and promoting human rights

Police detain a man during a rally in Hong Kong on 22 December 2019 to show support for the Uighur minority in China. (Getty Images)

China, which has been accused of genocide of Uighur Muslims in Xinjiang, on Monday said that the region, along with Tibet are ‘shining examples’ of human rights ‘progress’.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi made the remarks on Monday while speaking at a foreign ministry sponsored forum aimed at “Bringing China-US Relations Back to the Right Track.” He also urged the US to lift restrictions, while asking it to stop interference in the areas of Taiwan, Hong Kong, Xinjiang and Tibet.

During the speech, he insisted that the country is “always committed to protecting and promoting human rights”.

“China takes a people-centred approach to human rights and believes that the rights to subsistence and development are basic human rights of paramount importance,” said Mr Wang. “We strive for the comprehensive and coordinated development of economic, social and cultural rights as well as civil and political rights.”

Beijing has been facing strong criticism from Washington due to its territorial dispute with the neighbours and its poor human rights records especially over Hong Kong, Xinjiang and Tibet.

More recently, the US government expressed its displeasure over the reports of systemic rape and sexual torture of women detained in the Xinjiang camps.

CNN and BBC had detailed the allegations of rape, sexual abuse and torture of ethnic Uighur and other Muslim women in the internment camps in Xinjiang.

“We are deeply disturbed by reports, including first-hand testimony, of systematic rape and sexual abuse against women in internment camps for ethnic Uighurs and other Muslims in Xinjiang,” the US state department had said in a statement. The spokeswoman reiterated the charges that China has committed “crimes against humanity and genocide” in Xinjiang and added: “These atrocities shock the conscience and must be met with serious consequences.”

China has continuously rejected the allegation of genocide against Uighurs.