A culture and tourism festival themed on Dolan and Qiuci culture in Awat County of Aksu Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, October 25, 2019. (File photo/Xinhua)
Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on Wednesday said the region fully follows the ethnic policies of China and upholds ethnic equality, thus working for common development and prosperity.
An official of the region's ethnic affairs commission made the remarks at a press conference on matters pertaining to Xinjiang.
All ethnic groups in Xinjiang, regardless of religious belief, are equal and entitled to all legal rights, including participating in management of national affairs, the freedom of religious belief, and receiving education, among others, added the official.
Xinjiang officials also hit back at allegations made by overseas media that Xinjiang "forbids ethnic minorities from wearing ethnic costume, forcing them to celebrate the Spring Festival," stressing Xinjiang fully protects the dietary, celebratory, wedding and funeral rituals, and other customs of all ethnic groups.
