The China government has called for respect for the sovereignty of China in deciding its own destiny with regard to the future of its vocational training centres, particularly in Xinjiang.

In making the call, Vice Minister of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China’s Central Committee, Jiang Jianguo, said it was not appropriate for other countries to dictate terms to China as the republic itself had its own way to combat extremism and terrorism.

"They might believe that they have some connection with the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region (XUAR) or with the Uighur people there, but I can clearly explain to you that they are not related with that region or the people there.

"And I think the country that has made the accusation against China, the country itself is also a multi-ethnic country that is facing the problem of terrorism and religious extremism. So, I don’t think it is appropriate for them to make the accusation," Jiang, speaking through a translator, told foreign journalists visiting the Department of Central Publicity here.

Eleven journalists, five from Malaysia and six from Indonesia, are here for the ASEAN Elites China Tour 2019 on the invitation of the China International Publishing Group (CIPG) to see for themselves the vocational training education centre in Xinjiang province and know more about China’s ethnic and religious policies. They also visited several places of importance and interest in Beijing.

Jiang was responding to questions pertaining to international criticism over China’s alleged persecution of some Muslim minorities, especially the Uighur Muslims, and the allegedly huge numbers of whom are being held in detention camps where they are said to be undergoing ‘re-education’ programmes.

The China government, however, claims that the camps are merely vocational and training centres intended to curb extremism and terrorism besides teaching the trainees valuable skills.

Jiang said that following the training, a large number of trainees had gained employment and many more who had completed the training were waiting for employment although there was still a small number of people who “have not yet solved their problem of extremism”.

"So, it all depends on the actual effect, when the expected result is achieved, the training centres will be closed, naturally," he said.

- Bernama