Former Afghanistan president praises China's Xinjiang policy

Former Afghanistan president Hamid Karzai hailed the development and progress in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region on Tuesday, urging Western countries not to use the issue of human rights as an excuse to discredit China.

Karzai, who was the first democratically elected head of state of Afghanistan, serving from 2004 to 2014, made the remarks during an interview with China Daily in Beijing. Karzai also served as the nation's interim leader from 2001 to 2004.

"We've seen a lot of comments, a lot of media reports about Xinjiang. But I have visited Xinjiang many times over the years. I have found immense development taking place in Xinjiang, the prosperity there, and the well-being of the people of Xinjiang," Karzai said.

"I would recommend to those countries that have raised human rights issues about Xinjiang that they look at the problems they themselves have caused for the rest of the world－look at Libya, look at Syria, look at 18 years on in Afghanistan, where there is human suffering, there are losses of life," he said.

Karzai said the model of development that China has adopted is one that suits its national conditions. "I also believe this is something that we should follow in Afghanistan to win a quick recovery from the economic troubles that we have as well as for the alleviation of poverty in our country.

"The world would be better if we cooperate and if we develop ourselves and, at the same time, also let others grow," he added.

Karzai's comments come as some foreign media and organizations have criticized China over its Xinjiang policies.

China has reiterated on many occasions that the issue Xinjiang faces is not about ethnicity, religion or human rights, but rather, it is about fighting violence, terrorism and separatism.

Speaking at a regular news conference on Tuesday, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said terrorism is a common challenge for all countries, and there should be no double standard when it comes to counterterrorism.

She added that the preventive measures that Xinjiang has taken in deradicalization and counterterrorism are effective as there have been no cases of violence or terrorism in Xinjiang for three years.