Terrorism, extremism bring enormous suffering to all ethnic groups in Xinjiang: white paper

Terrorism and extremism in Xinjiang have brought enormous suffering to all ethnic groups in the region, said a white paper released Monday by China's State Council Information Office.

A man is picking cotton in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. [File photo: IC]

Terrorist and extremist forces in Xinjiang, driven by the goal of separatism, engaged in wildly sabotaging activities, said the white paper, titled "The Fight Against Terrorism and Extremism and Human Rights Protection in Xinjiang."

"This badly undermines local stability," it said.

Incomplete statistics show that from 1990 to the end of 2016, separatist, terrorist and extremist forces launched thousands of terrorist attacks in Xinjiang, killing large numbers of innocent people and hundreds of police officers, and causing immeasurable damage to property.

The white paper said the forces were engaged in killing ordinary people, assassinating religious leaders, endangering public security, attacking government organs, and planning riots.

"These inhuman, anti-social and barbaric acts have brought enormous suffering to all ethnic groups in Xinjiang," it said.