BEIJING, Oct. 11 -- The United States has just added a new irritant to Sino-U.S. ties as it blacklisted 28 Chinese entities involved in so-called "human rights violations" in Xinjiang, which was based on groundless claims.

The U.S. latest move aims to smear and discredit China's governance in Xinjiang and grossly interfere in China's internal affairs, which bear on China's sovereignty, security and territorial integrity.

The Chinese government and people carry more weight than anyone else on issues related to Xinjiang. There is no so-called "human rights issue" in Xinjiang as deliberately accused by the U.S. side. No country or outside force can distort or slander the fact.

Since 1990s, terrorism and extremism have intensified around the world, trampling on human rights and bringing disasters to human society. Ethnic separatist forces, religious extremist forces and violent terrorist forces had carried out thousands of violent terrorist incidents in Xinjiang from 1990 to 2016, killing innocent people and police officers, and seriously undermining the stability and peace in the region.

To safeguard national security, and to protect the basic human rights of people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang, the Chinese government has made solid work. Freedom of religious belief and other fundamental human rights are firmly safeguarded. More than 2.3 million people were lifted out of poverty from 2014 to 2018, and over 1.4 million urban jobs were created from 2016 to 2018.

Now, Xinjiang has continued its promising momentum in economic growth. Counter-terrorism and de-radicalization measures have won wide support from people of all ethnic groups who are living harmoniously together.

Facts have proven that those measures have effectively eliminated the breeding ground for extremism, and ensured the basic human rights of people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang, including the right to life, health and development.

In the past three years, no terrorist attack has happened in the region and the whole society remains peaceful and stable. Since the end of last year, nearly 1,000 diplomatic envoys in China, UN officials, diplomats based in Geneva, members from political parties and social organizations of different countries, journalists and members of religious organizations have visited Xinjiang. They all agreed, Xinjiang, now, is harmonious and stable, and those measures have helped strengthen international fight against terrorism and extremism, and accumulated valuable experiences.

However, the U.S. side has turned a blind eye to the facts, maintained double standard on human rights issue, and always viewed China's governance in Xinjiang through "tinted spectacles." The real purpose of the U.S. side is nothing but to create an excuse to interfere in China's internal affairs, so as to realize its sinister intention of using Xinjiang to deter China.

The Chinese government and people do not want to stir up trouble, but they are not afraid of being dragged into trouble. In the face of unreasonable U.S. pressure and unilateral sanctions, China has the capability and confidence to safeguard its sovereignty, security and territorial integrity.

People of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang have, like everywhere else in the country, just celebrated the 70th anniversary of the founding of New China. This year, more than 180 million tourists from all over the world have come to Xinjiang to see the beautiful scenery and enjoy the happy and peaceful life there. The Xinjiang people will cherish the hard-won social stability and ethnic unity, and will never allow any force to stir up any trouble.