问：2月9日，土耳其外交部发言人就中国新疆地区有关情况和政策进行指责和批评。中方有何回应？

　　答：我注意到土耳其外交部发言人的有关表态，非常恶劣。中国驻土耳其使馆第一时间已就此作出回应，中方已向土方提出严正交涉。

Q: On February 9, the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey criticized China on the situation in Xinjiang and its relevant policies. What is your response?

A: I have noted these very bad remarks made by the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey. The Chinese Embassy in Turkey has already made a response at the earliest time possible, and the Chinese side has made stern representations with the Turkish side.

　　首先，我想提醒大家注意一个事实：土方发言人表态中提到“维吾尔族著名民乐家艾衣提在服刑第二年在监狱中去世”，但事实上他不仅活着，而且非常健康，我昨天还在网上看到了他的视频。土方基于把“活人说成死人”的荒谬谎言，对中方进行无端指责，这种做法极其错误、极不负责。我们对此坚决反对。

　　我愿再次强调几点：

Before saying anything else, I want to draw your attention to a fact. The Spokesperson of the Turkish Foreign Ministry claimed that "the distinguished folk poet Abdurehim Heyit passed away in his second year of imprisonment". However, the fact is that he is still alive and in good health. I saw videos online yesterday that testify to that. The Turkish side is extremely mistaken and irresponsible in making groundless accusations against China just based on some ridiculous lies that declare a living person dead. We are strongly opposed to that.

I would like to add a few points.

　　第一，从20世纪90年代以来，中国境内外“三股势力”在中国新疆策划并组织实施了数千起暴力恐怖事件，造成大量无辜各族群众伤亡。新疆在借鉴和吸收国际社会反恐经验的基础上，从当地实际出发，深入开展反恐和去极端化工作，取得了明显成效，新疆人民的安全感、幸福感、满足感得到极大提升。大家都知道，去年底以来，有十几国驻华使节或代表，以及包括土耳其在内的多国记者赴新疆参观访问，看了很多地方，其中也包括教培中心，增加了对新疆经济社会情况的全面了解。很多人都纷纷表示，当地人脸上洋溢的由衷的明朗笑容，是对外界那些谣言的最有力驳斥和回击。包括土耳其一些媒体人士参观后表示：“我清楚地看到中国政府在打击恐怖主义、抵御极端主义方面确立并实施了清晰的战略，即实施打击恐怖活动、加快发展经济、改善民生和加强教育等一系列相互支撑的措施。这样的战略是非常明智的，值得土耳其乃至整个世界学习。”

First, since 1990s, the "three evil forces" (terrorism, extremism and separatism) in China and abroad have plotted, organized and conducted thousands of violent terrorist attacks in Xinjiang, injuring and killing a great number of innocent people of various ethnic groups. Drawing on the anti-terrorism experience of the international community and based on its realities, the Chinese government has been actively working to counter terrorism and extremism and made notable achievements. People in Xinjiang now have a stronger sense of security, happiness and fulfillment. Recently, diplomatic envoys and representatives from a dozen countries as well as media representatives from countries including Turkey visited Xinjiang. They toured a lot of places, including vocational education and training centers. Their trip enhanced their comprehensive understanding of the economic and social situation in Xinjiang, and they believed that the radiant smile on the faces of local people is the most eloquent response to those rumors. One media representative from Turkey said after the trip that "I clearly saw that China has rolled out and implemented targeted measures in combating terrorism and extremism. They are a series of complementing measures to counter terrorism, accelerate economic development, improve people's livelihood and strengthen education in Xinjiang. Such a strategy is very wise and deserves to be learned by Turkey and the whole world."

　　第二，新疆各族人民依法享有充分的宗教信仰自由。新疆现有清真寺、教堂、寺院等宗教活动场所2.5万座，其中清真寺2.44万座、宗教院校8所。新疆地区人口是2440万，其中穆斯林人口约1300万，也就是说平均每530位穆斯林就拥有一座清真寺。而根据公开数据，土耳其人口8200万，清真寺9万座，平均910人才拥有一座清真寺。

Second, people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang enjoy full freedom of religious belief in accordance with the law. Xinjiang now has 25,000 venues for religious activities, including mosques, churches and temples. Among these, there are 24,400 mosques and eight religious institutes. Xinjiang has a population of 24.4 million people, among which 13 million are Muslims. That means, on average, 530 Muslims share one mosque. According to available data, Turkey has a population of 82 million people and 90,000 mosques. That means, on average, 910 people in Turkey share one mosque.