RIYADH: The Chinese government has acted decisively to address the ethnic problem in Xinjiang in a “highly responsible” way and has promised to take punitive measures against those who violate the law, Chinese Ambassador Yang Honglin said on Saturday.
He was referring to the violence that erupted on June 26 between Han Chinese and the Uighur minority. The envoy, while emphasizing that a country takes tough action in resolving an internal matter, was appreciative of Saudi Arabia for its understanding toward the Xinjiang unrest. He said the incident had nothing to do with religion, and such incidents between ethnic groups occur in other parts of the world. He reiterated that such violence would not be tolerated in China.
“We have very good experience in dealing with such problems,” he added. He invited the media to visit China to see what is happening there. He also said that China would be hosting an international trade exhibition this year and extended his invitation to all Saudis to participate in the exhibition.
Conveying his greetings on the occasion of the Eid Al-Fitr, the head of the mission said his country’s relations with Saudi Arabia are very cordial and strategic. Following mutual visit of the heads of the two countries, the ties are being further enhanced.
He said around 23 million Muslims, including those in the Uighur Autonomous Region, live with 10 other ethnic groups in harmony and peace. He also said Chinese laws protect religious activities and the country’s constitution clearly stipulates that every Chinese citizen enjoy freedom of religious belief. That there are 35,000 mosques in China bears testimony to this fact.
He said Muslims in China have a higher income than the average Chinese and as many as 12,000 Chinese Muslims come to Makkah to perform Haj every year.
Talking about the growing trade relations with Saudi Arabia, the ambassador said Sino-Saudi ties have experienced a rapid development and scaled new heights in various fields after the visits of the two heads of state. “We now see deepening political trust, intensified high-level exchanges, upgrading of economic and energy cooperation and positive progress in the areas of culture, education and religion,” Yang said.
He said Saudi Arabia is the largest trading partner of China in the West Asia and Africa region for seven consecutive years. In 2008, the bilateral trade volume surpassed $418 million. He said China appreciated Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah’s large donation of cash and materials to the victims of the devastating Sichuan earthquake.
