Overseas Chinese reps counter smears against Xinjiang

Twenty-five overseas Chinese representatives from 19 countries who are influential in their respective industries participated in an online meeting on Thursday to discuss how to better tell the story of the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region to the world.

The event was jointly organized by the Subcommittee for Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Compatriots and Overseas Chinese of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee; the CPPCC Xinjiang regional committee; and the Xinjiang Overseas Friendship Association.

Five grassroots representatives from Xinjiang also discussed their lives via video link, talking about talent cultivation and employment in Xinjiang, and the protection of religious beliefs and ethnic minority cultures in the region.

The overseas Chinese representatives said they have gained a deeper understanding of the governance strategy in Xinjiang in the new era and have learned more about the region's efforts to fight terrorism and de-radicalization in accordance with the law by exploring effective means such as vocational education.

They also said they have learned that social security has significantly improved in Xinjiang and that people of all ethnic groups in the region have a growing sense of gain, happiness and security.

The representatives expressed their indignation at Western media's irresponsible smearing of Xinjiang with "double standards" and said they would actively promote the truth to other countries through media interviews and through social media platforms.

Many of those who attended the meeting visited the region on a tour organized by the CPPCC National Committee in October, and they have all attended the committee's plenary sessions.

Since 2001, the committee has invited overseas Chinese to attend these sessions to make suggestions for the country's development. Over the past 20 years, 588 overseas Chinese from 81 countries have attended the sessions.