Xinjiang Photo: VCG

Envoys of some 30 countries voiced support for China while criticizing the West for fabricating lies about Xinjiang to deter China's development at a sideline meeting of the 47th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council. Representatives from Xinjiang shared their stories at the meeting and presented a vivid account of the solidarity among ethnic groups in the region. 

Themed "Solidarity among Ethnic Groups in Xinjiang," the event held over video conference on Wednesday was co-hosted by the permanent mission of China to the United Nations and Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. 

Over 30 country envoys from Russia, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Belarus among others attended the meeting, as well as senior diplomats, officials from Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, and news reporters.  

"Ethnic solidarity is the lifeline of the people of all ethnic groups, and the fundamental cornerstone of Xinjiang's development and progress," Chen Xu, China's Permanent Representative to the UN Office at Geneva, said during the opening remarks. 

He added that more than 90 countries have extended their support to China on Xinjiang-related issues in various forms at the UN Human Rights Council, which clearly reflects the common aspiration of the international community.

"Everything that Xinjiang authority has done is to promote harmony, solidarity and development of all ethnic groups. Attacks from some Western countries of the so-called 'genocide' in the region are pure fabrications that harm the precious friendships among ethnicities. The fundamental purpose of such lies is to provoke trouble, undermine Xinjiang's stability, and hinder China's rise," Shewket Imin, director of the Standing Committee of the People's Congress of Xinjiang, said at the meeting. 

He welcomed foreign missions to visit Xinjiang and see for themselves the harmony that exists between people from different backgrounds, and witness the prosperity and development.

The event invited a number of representatives from Xinjiang to share their stories and present concrete examples on how ethnicities have been living together in harmony as one family. 

A resident in Shule County in Xinjiang's Kashi Prefecture told the story of Pan Yulian, an 80-year-old retired teacher who has devoted her life to teaching and taking care of local children since 1992. 

The county has over 6,000 residents from eight ethnic groups. After retirement, Pan decided to take care of local children at her home. When the number of children increased, she took out all her lifesavings and opened a school to teach the kids free of charge. 

Li Li, a doctor who has been treating a broken-armed boy at the TCM hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, shared a story about how people from different walks of life rushed to save the boy and sent him to the best hospital in Xinjiang within hours. After two timely surgeries, the boy is now recovering under intensive care from specialized medical team. 

Envoys from North Korea, Sri Lanka, Venezuela, Belarus, Iran, Laos, Cameroon, Ethiopia and other countries spoke at the meeting, appreciating China's continuous effort in eradicating absolute poverty and maintaining peace in Xinjiang, while firmly opposing the West's interference in China's internal affairs out of its own ill-intended political manipulation.