China 'categorically rejects' Islamabad 'Xinjiang criticism' reports

Chinese embassy terms 'news' baseless, distorted

Beijing on Saturday rejected recent media reports claiming Islamabad had 'criticised' the former over its treatment of Muslims in China’s  Xinjiang.

A statement by the Chinese embassy in Islamabad said Ambassador Yao Jin paid a courtesy visit to Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Noorul Haq on Septemeber 19. The two discussed the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and other projects on the occasion, the statement read.



The press release said a news item carried by APP the same day accurately reported the meeting. Some local and international media, however, presented baseless and distorted versions of the meeting.

These, the Chinese embassy, categorically rejected. Haq was reported to have called on Beijing to soften restrictions placed on Uighur Muslims residing in China’s western province of Xinjiang in the 'baseless and distorted' reports.



In its rejoinder, the embassy said the Xinjiang Autonomous Region of China enjoyed social stability, sound economic development and harmonious coexistence among ethnic groups.

Some measures are taken against separatism and terrorism for the sake of safeguarding China’s national security and protecting people's life and property, the statement read.