On February 4th, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issued a statement regarding the opening of the 2022 Olympic Winter Games, cheered for the Canadian athletes, while claimed that “remain extremely concerned by reports of human rights violations in China”, which flagrantly politicizes sports based on lies and disinformation, and violates the principle of political neutrality enshrined in the Olympic Charter. The Chinese side expresses its strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to this, and has lodged stern representations with the Canadian side.

The Chinese people are in the best position to judge how China’s human rights situation is. China has created the remarkable miracle in respecting and protecting human rights and blazed a path of human rights development with Chinese characteristics, bringing tangible benefits to the Chinese people. The human rights in Xinjiang have been protected very well. Xinjiang has gained great achievements in social stability, high quality economic development, a complete victory in poverty alleviation, significant progress in people’s livelihood, solidarity among ethnic groups and religious harmony.

Canada has a deplorable record on human rights. In history, Canada imposed genocide like “residential schools” against indigenous people. Until today, the poor living conditions of the indigenous people and the systemic racial discrimination are still severe in Canada. Canada is simply not qualified to judge human rights situation in other countries. Some Canadian politicians and media outlets have constantly hyped up Xinjiang-related issues and maliciously spreaded lies. These actions are completely groundless and like trying to hold back the tide with a broom, which fails to hide the fact that all people enjoy a happy life in prosperous Xinjiang, and fails to impede Xinjiang’s progress.

I would like to stress that the Beijing Winter Olympic Games is a gathering for all winter sports athletes and enthusiasts around the world, not a stage for political posturing and manipulation. A successful and splendid Games relies on the concerted efforts of the Winter Olympics family, not on the attendance of some countries’ “diplomatic representation”. Canada and a handful of western countries have repeatedly made an issue out of the Beijing Winter Olympic Games, flagrantly engaged in political maneuvering, and attempt to disrupt the smooth progress of the Games. Their clumsy actions find no support and are doomed to fail. Today, the Beijing Winter Olympic Games has successfully opened. We believe that, under the guidance of the Olympic spirit and with concerted efforts of all sides, China will deliver a streamlined, safe and splendid Olympic Games for the world. We also wish the Canadian athletes good luck in Beijing Winter Olympic Games!