| Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Friday, November 16, 2001 |
Zhu Bangzao Discloses Bloody Cases Created by '"East Tujue' Elements at Home & Abroad |
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According to information from the Chinese Foreign Ministry, on November 14, in response to the requests of some foreign reporters stationed in Beijing, spokesman Zhu Bangzao of the Ministry answered these reporters' questions concerning anti-terrorism, particularly the question of crackdown on "East Tujue" terrorist forces.
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According to information from the Chinese Foreign Ministry, on November 14, in response to the requests of some foreign reporters stationed in Beijing, spokesman Zhu Bangzao of the Ministry answered these reporters' questions concerning anti-terrorism, particularly the question of crackdown on "East Tujue" terrorist forces.
QUESTION: Will the fight against terrorists, especially against the "East Tujue" terrorists, affect the interests of Xinjiang's Moslems?
ANSWER: One point I want to emphasize is: the attack on the "East Tujue" terrorist forces has the support of the entire Chinese people, including the various ethnic groups of Xinjiang as well as the broad masses of the Islamism believers. Crackdown on terrorism and splittism is a consensus that must not be confused with our policy toward the ethnic minorities. China's policy toward the minority nationalities is clear-cut, whether in terms of the Constitution and laws, or of actual moves, the various rights and interests of minority nationalities are protected. China pursues the policy of regional national autonomy, the same holds true with Xinjiang. We have adopted a series of preferential policies to promote Xinjiang's economic, cultural and social development, and have scored tremendous achievements. A small section of people vainly attempt to separate Xinjiang from Chinese territory through violence terrorist means, this obviously runs counter to the fundamental interests of the various ethnic people in this region. Attacking the "East Tujue" terrorist forces precisely aims to guarantee the stable and harmonious development of this region and is in the interests of the various ethnic people in Xinjiang.
QUESTION: Could you provide some concrete figures to make it clear how many "East Tujue" terrorists are receiving training in related countries? How many people have been arrested by the Chinese side since the "September 11" incident?
ANSWER: We have conclusive evidence to prove that among the criminals engaging in violence terrorist activities in Xinjiang, there are indeed people who have received terrorist training in Afghanistan. At the news briefings held yesterday afternoon I mentioned that these people have ties with Bin Laden terrorist clique and have had received training there. With regard to how many "East Tujue" elements receiving terror violence training in Afghanistan, I'm afraid it is hard to have accurate statistics, informed sources say there are at least several hundred people. These people do have received financial aid and training from international terrorist organizations, that's why we should regard the crackdown on these terrorists as part of the international anti-terrorism struggle.
With regard to the crimes of these people, we should, of course take measures to deal with them. As regards the question you raised about the number of people arrested after the "September 11" incident, I don't have the figure at hand.
QUESTION: In what manner do Xinjiang terrorists appear, do they pass themselves off as the ordinary people or engage in terrorist activities in the guerrilla form? If you know, could you tell how many times have terrorist activities occurred in Xinjiang?
ANSWER: These organizations are of every description, in terms of their own programs, some "East Tujue" organizations clearly advocate the use of violence. I can cite several examples for you. The organizations, such as the "East Turkstan Islamic movement" in Afghanistan, the "East Turkstan liberation organization" in Kazakhstan and the Uygur Allah party in Central Asia" clearly include the use of violence into their own programs. In addition, although some "East Tujue" organizations do not clearly advocate the use of violence in their programs, they have actually participated in violence activities, for example, "Dili Xiati, spokesman for the "East Tujue information center", publicly declared their plan to create terrorist incidents in Beijing and other places during China's National Day in October this year.
Viewed from the "East Tujue" terrorists' activities, they have created many terrorist violence incidents inside and outside Chinese territory, causing a heavy toll of casualties of ordinary people and huge property losses. Let me cite some incidents occurred in the past years. In July 1996, the "East Turkstan Islamic Asha Vahishta (justice) party" plotted the case of storming the prison in Shaya County, killing 15 people. In February 1997, the "East Turkstan national solidarity union" created the explosion case in Urumqi, leaving nine dead and 74 injured. In March 1998, violence elements of the "East Jujue nationality center" made a bombing raid on the Chinese Consulate in Istanbul. In May 2000, the "Uygur liberation organization" set fire on a local Chinese commodity market, the terrorist murdered a Chinese staff member who went to Kyrgyzstan to handle this case. On September 28 the same year, terrorists under the control of the "Uygur liberation organization" killed two Kazakhstan policemen.
Now let me cite several instances concerning the close link between the "East Tujue" terrorist force and the international terrorist forces: "the East Turkstan Islamic movement", the "Uygur Allah party" and other organizations accept the military and financial assistance from international terrorist forces and receive terrorist training in Afghanistan. In November 1990 and August 2000, the "East Turkstan Islamic movement" twice participated in the rebellions of invasion launched by the"Uzbekstan Islamic movement" into the southern areas of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.
Many facts prove that the terrorist violence activities carried out by the "East Tujue" elements inside and outside China have not only harmed areas inside China, but also constitute a threat to regional security and stability, what is more, they have participated in regional terrorist activities, this indicates that they have become part of international terrorist forces, therefore attacking the "East tujue" terrorist forces is also part of the international anti-terrorism struggle. The "September 11" incident indicated terrorism has become an international scourge. We hold that terrorism, , no matter where it appears, where it comes from, who perpetrates it and what object it is directed against, should all be opposed. Many countries have accepted this view. China's stand on the fight against terrorism is clear-cut and consistent. We are willing to join the various countries in the region and the international community in taking common actions against all forms of terrorism, including the fight against the "East Tujue" terrorist forces.
QUESTION: You said there are several hundred "East Tujue" elements receiving training, could you tell their whereabouts, have they returned to Xinjiang, or do they participate in local battle in Afghanistan? You said that attack on the "East Tujue" terrorist forces is part of the international anti-terrorist activities, what is your intention? What kind of international support do you want to get? Is it moral support or support in its real sense?
ANSWER: Regarding the first question, I can tell you this: First, terrorism is a public hazard of humankind, China is also faced with the threat of terrorism. Second, these terrorist activities are linked together with international terrorist activities, since we need to eradicate terrorism, we must get united to combat all terrorist forces. Third, I want to emphasize this point: after the "September 11" incident, some "East Tujue" terrorist organizations changed their tactics. Although its constitution still contain the formulation on the adoption of violence actions, although they have engaged or are still engaging in terrorist activities, they all emphasized that their activities are intended for freedom, democracy, human rights, etc. they distort the human right situation in Xinjiang in an attempt to befuddle international public opinion and win international sympathy. I hope you will understand this point, it is necessary to strip these terrorists off their camouflage, and come to realize that these people must not be pacified. I want to stress that the international community should make common effort in eradicating terrorism, regard the fight against all forms of terrorism as the same struggle, there should not be a double standard, instead, common action should be taken to fight against terrorist activities.
QUESTION: Does China treat "Falun Gong" as a kind of terrorist organization?
ANSWER: We define "Falun Gong" as an anti-humanity, anti-society and anti-science heretic organization, they preach the theory about "the doomsday of the world", "nirvana, or perfection" and "going up to heaven", to create a "horrible atmosphere, their activities are going to extreme day by day. They use fallacies to exercise spiritual control over the practitioners, which have led to the death of more than 1,700 people. In compliance with the demands of the broad masses of the people, particularly the victims and their families, the Chinese government has banned the heretic "Falun Gong" cult according to law, that is aimed to protect the basic human rights and freedom of the citizens and safeguard the Constitution and other laws.
"Falun Gong" is a heretic organization, all things they propagate and some actions they take have the tendency of creating terror.
QUESTION: How do you carry out the anti-terrorism struggle through the Moslems and Ahong? How do you guarantee that the Mosque's donations are not used in terrorist activities? How do you distinguish Moslems from terrorists?
ANSWER: As I have just said the broad masses of the people in Xinjiang, including Moslems, are against terrorism. If Mosque's donations should be used in terrorist activities, that is a criminal action which will definitely be condemned and legally punished.
I once again want to stress that anti-terrorism must be differentiated from particular religion and nationality. I want to take this opportunity to brief you on the situation of Islamism in China.
After the founding of New China, tremendous and profound changes took place in the country. Moslems' religious belief was respected and normal religious activities were protected. The policy of regional national autonomy has been carried out in the regions inhabited by Moslems in compact communities, they fully enjoy the right to equality between nationalities and the right to the freedom of religious belief. Moslems can establish and join religious organizations, carry out religious activities, publish classics and scriptures and religious publications and develop religious education, they can also carry out friendly contacts and academic exchanges with foreign religious organizations and religious circles.
In China, citizens believing in religions, citizens not believing in religions and citizens believing in different religions are all equal before the law. There is no religion holding dominant position in China, the Chinese government gives same treatment to all religions. Various religions are in equal position, they respect each other and live together in peace, all religious believers are politically enjoying equal democratic rights.
Moslems believing in Islamism are never discriminated against in China. Here I once again stress that in order to effectively launch anti-terrorism struggle, we must not link the anti-terrorism struggle together with particular nationality and religion, otherwise it will harm our anti-terrorism struggle.
By People's Daily Online
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