China defends crackdown against Islamic militants

Religious extremists, in the name of religion, spread radical and extremist views and take extremist means to try to establish a theocracy, a Chinese government white paper titled ‘Freedom of Religious Belief in Xinjiang’ released here said.

Xinjiang enjoys unprecedented religious freedom, the paper said asserting that the freedom of religious belief in the province” cannot be matched by that in any other historical period.” 

Since the founding of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) in 1949, citizens’ freedom of religious belief fully respected and believers’ normal religious needs effectively met, it said.

In Xinjiang, “the positive role of religious circles in promoting economic development and social stability is well displayed, the government’s capability of administrating religious affairs is constantly strengthened, international exchanges in the religious field are being expanded and the proliferation and spread of religious extremism is being effectively contained,” it said.

Religious extremism is by nature “anti-human, anti- society, anti-civilisation and anti-religion,” it said and defended China’s efforts in fighting religious extremism, saying it is a just act to safeguard the fundamental interests of the country and the people.

The paper said the Chinese government resolutely opposes the politicisation of religious matters and any other country’s interference in China’s internal affairs in the name of religion.