Nearly 10,000 residents dance in local Dolan Maxrap folk style in Awat county in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region on Oct. 9, 2018. (Photo/CHINA NEWS SERVICE)
Measures to contain the spread of religious extremism in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, including offering free vocational training to help people find jobs, have proven effective and no terrorist attacks have occurred in the region in the past 21 months, said a senior official.
Shohrat Zakir, chairman of Xinjiang, spoke with Xinhua News Agency on Tuesday during an interview on the regional situation.
Fighting terrorism and eradicating extremism is a global issue as well as an international headache, he said, adding that Xinjiang has given equal importance to fighting and preventing terrorism and seeks to combine the fight against violent terrorist crimes with the protection of human rights.
Since the 1990s, the "three evil forces" (terrorism, extremism and separatism) in China and abroad have plotted, organized and conducted thousands of violent terrorist attacks in Xinjiang, causing the deaths of a large number of innocent people, according to the chairman.
The Chinese government has resolutely taken measures to prevent and combat violent terrorist crimes in accordance with the law. People are feeling more secure now, he said.
Also, Shohrat said Xinjiang authorities have established professional vocational training centers to help locals learn the country's common language and laws, new vocational skills, and also participate in de-extremization education, with gaining employment as the key trajectory.
Most people influenced by terrorism and extremism who are suspected of minor criminal offenses but are not liable for criminal prosecution can be exempted from punishment, and Xinjiang has provided them with free vocational training so the region can better safeguard against the infiltration of terrorism and extremism, he said.
Courses on textile and footwear production, food processing, electronics assembly and repair, printing, hairdressing and e-commerce have been set up to suit local social needs and the job market, Shohrat said.
Trainees receive graduation certificates after they pass three exams－on China's common language, legal knowledge and vocational skills－Arken Ali, deputy mayor of Hotan, Xinjiang, told China Central Television.
Turenisha Abudulazez, who has been receiving training at the city's vocational training center, said it would be "unimaginable" if she continued to follow the extremists as this would lead her to engage in criminal activities.
Mijit Azez has been receiving carpentry training at the center for the past three months. Influenced by religious extremists, he refused to work or study before coming to the center. He told CCTV that he won't return to his old life, when his thoughts were "simple and poor".
As a result of the vocational education and training, the social environment of Xinjiang has seen notable improvements, with a healthy atmosphere on the rise and improper practices declining, Shohrat added.
