PUBLISHED: 2 Mar 2025 at 18:42
The recent repatriation of 40 Uyghurs from Thailand has sparked significant discussion regarding Sino-Thai cooperation on illegal immigration. The Chinese embassy in Thailand has responded to international criticism, asserting that this action was a standard practice of law enforcement between sovereign nations.
The embassy emphasized that the individuals repatriated were unlawful migrants who had entered Thailand, not asylum seekers as some have claimed. They highlighted that the repatriation was conducted at the request of the Chinese government.
A spokesperson noted that, in the fiscal year 2024, another country repatriated over 270,000 illegal migrants, suggesting that similar actions should not be met with international condemnation.
The statement continued to argue that those who criticize the cooperation between the Chinese and Thai governments are displaying a double standard, violating fundamental principles of international relations.
According to the embassy, the repatriated individuals have been reunited with family members and local authorities are committed to providing them with job opportunities and vocational training to facilitate their reintegration into society.
The embassy further claimed that certain groups have instigated unrest in the Xinjiang region and have attempted to recruit local individuals into anti-China movements, emphasizing the government’s ongoing efforts to combat such activities. They stated there have been no terrorist incidents in Xinjiang since late 2016.
The Chinese government welcomed visitors from neutral countries to observe the stability and prosperity in Xinjiang, showcasing the region’s commitment to peace, unity, and religious freedom among its diverse ethnic groups.
Internment Camps
Since 2017, reports have surfaced indicating that over one million Uyghurs and other Muslims have been detained in internment camps, where allegations of human rights violations are prevalent.
