The Embassy of China in Belgium noticed news report by la libre published on 8th August on Uyghur population and other Xinjiang-related matters. This is not the first time similar false media reports have turned up in the media. Recently we have seen some orchestrated and concocted media reports attacking and smearing China using Xinjiang-related stories in the international media instigated by anti-China forces. We are firmly opposed to such truth distorting and rumor-mongering practices aimed at manipulating public opinion. The Embassy would like to reiterate the facts and set the record straight on the matter so that the Belgian public would not be misinformed.

The article quoted in length “report” by Adrian Zenz, who is a radical anti-China element without any academic credibility. He cooked up the report with the sole purpose of slandering China and playing up sensational stories. In fact, the population of Uyghurs in Xinjiang more than doubled over the past 40 years. According to independent American online news outlet, Adrian Zenz, a self-proclaimed “expert”, is a US-supported far-right group member and a cadre of the Xinjiang training center research group set up by the US intelligence community. We refer readers to details as revealed by “the Gray Zone”, an independent American online news outlet:

(1)https://thegrayzone.com/2019/12/21/china-detaining-millions-uyghurs-problems-claims-us-ngo-researcher/

(2)https://thegrayzone.com/2020/03/26/forced-labor-china-us-nato-arms-industry-cold-war/

“ETIM”, “East Turkestan Islamic Movement”, is designated a terrorist group by the UN Security Council in 2002. The entity has been deceiving and intimidating Uyghurs residing overseas. Colluding with “World Uyghur Congress” and other overseas extremist, separatist and terrorist forces, it has conducted violent and terrorist activities in western China, once jeopardizing the prosperity and stability of Xinjiang. “ETIM” and the “World Uyghur Congress” deceive and intimidate Uyghurs residing overseas and ask them to make anti-China remarks and engage in anti-China activities, bringing harm to many innocent Uyghur people.

The Embassy of China in Belgium hopes related Belgian media to rigorously screen and verify the source of information and do not stand by letting the readers be misled by false information.