"All terrorists shall be severely punished because they are acting against the good will of all people around the world," said Wang Lequan, Party Secretary of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and delegate to the 11th National People's Congress, during a delegation meeting open to the press on March 9, 2008.

At the meeting, journalists from home and abroad raised many questions concerning the police strike on terrorists in January that took place in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. In response, Wang Lequan admitted that terrorists exist in the region and the notorious East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM) coming out of Afghanistan and Pakistan aids these gangs financially and technically.

"Those arrested during the strike were all Uygurs. It is true and we have no intention of denying it," Wang Lequan told the press. "But I must reiterate that we are strongly against any kind of terrorist activities. Whatever ethnic group the terrorists belong to, once they act against the common interests of our people, we will squash them with all our might."

Everyone around the world longs for peace and development, but a handful of evildoers leave no stones unturned to commit sabotage, Wang Lequan said. "In anti-terrorism fights, we fear nothing and will suppress disturbances with all our strength," he stressed.

"Stability and development are two major concerns for people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang," Wang Lequan continued. Similar to all the other parts of the world, development is the first and foremost task of the region. "Without development, it will be totally impossible for us to address any other issues."

"Stability is also high on the government's agenda," Wang Lequan said. "We will spare no efforts to ensure social stability, thus fostering an environment favoring economic progress."

In recent years, Xinjiang has made much economic headway. Wang Lequan attributed the achievements to the continuous efforts of people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang and to aid from the central government as well as other provinces in China. "Xinjiang is richly endowed with natural resources. We also enjoy a special geological advantage by sharing borders with eight foreign countries. In the years ahead, Xinjiang will maintain good momentum for fast and healthy economic development," Wang said at the end of the meeting.

(China.org.cn by staff reporter Chen Xia, March 10, 2008)