Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian
In response to media reports regarding Thailand repatriating 40 Chinese citizens to China on Thursday, while the US, the UK, Germany, and the EU, among others, issued statements condemning Thailand's action, Chinese FM spokesperson Lin Jian said on Friday that China firmly opposes the use of "human rights" and other pretexts to interfere in China's internal affairs under the guise of the so-called "Xinjiang-related issue," which disrupts normal law enforcement cooperation between China and relevant countries.
The repatriation was carried out in accordance with the laws of both China and Thailand, as well as international law and international practices, Lin stressed.
China upholds the rule of law and has well-developed laws and regulations and working mechanisms in human rights protection in the judicial area. Its achievements are there for all to see. All Chinese, including the Uygurs in Xinjiang region, fully enjoy economic, social, and cultural, civil and political rights, Lin told a routine press briefing on Friday.
The spokesperson noted that some countries and international organizations, while disregarding facts, have unjustly criticized the normal law enforcement cooperation between China and Thailand in combating smuggling and other cross-border illegal activities, even fabricating lies related to Xinjiang and politicizing the issue.
Illegal immigration and smuggling activities are recognized as criminal offenses that severely disrupt normal entry and exit order, Lin said.
China will continue to strengthen international law enforcement cooperation with relevant countries to jointly address the challenges posed by smuggling and other cross-border illegal activities, ensuring the safe and orderly cross-border movement of personnel and effectively protecting the legitimate rights and interests of entry and exit personnel, the spokesperson noted.
According to China's Ministry of Public Security (MPS), forty Chinese nationals involved in illegal immigration were
repatriated from Thailand to China on Thursday. The effort to facilitate their repatriation is a reflection of the Chinese police's commitment to effectively protecting the legitimate rights and interests of its citizens.
Global Times
