Xinjiang, facing imminent terror threats, has taken measures in preventing and combating violent terrorist crimes, Shohrat Zakir, chairman of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, told Xinhua News Agency in a recent interview.
His comments came after the regional government passed a new law to legalize the vocational education program on October 9.
Zakir said Xinjiang has suffered from violent terror attacks plotted by the "three evil forces" – terrorism, extremism and separatism – since the 1990s, which has gravely jeopardized people's livelihood and social development.
Local governments have made huge efforts in combating terror activities, and has seen remarkable achievements in economic and social building, Zakir said. There were no violent attacks reported in the past 21 months, he added.
In response to the launch of the vocational education program, the chairman said it is a measure to prevent the spread of terrorism and extremism in remote areas.
The regional legislature had passed revised legislation that local governments can educate and transform people influenced by extremism at vocational education centers. The law took effect on October 9.
Zakir said people living in remote areas, in particular four prefectures in southern Xinjiang, are easily affected by extremism, as people there have a limited command of the country's common language and a limited sense and knowledge of the law, and they often have difficulties in finding employment due to limited vocational skills.
The program is to get rid of the environment and soil that breeds terrorism and religious extremism and stop violent terrorist activities from happening, he noted.
Source(s): Xinhua News Agency
