Global Affairs Canada’s statement on visit to Xinjiang Autonomous Region by Canada’s Ambassador to China

June 23, 2024 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

Global Affairs Canada today issued the following statement on the visit of Ambassador of Canada to China Jennifer May to Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, China from June 19 to 22, 2024:

“Ambassador May’s visit to Xinjiang was part of Canada’s diplomatic engagement with Chinese officials and served as an opportunity to communicate Canadian concerns about the human rights situation directly to the leadership of Xinjiang.

“During her visit, Ambassador May met with Xinjiang Party Secretary MA Xingrui and other senior officials of the regional government of Xinjiang.

“Ambassador May raised concerns over credible reports of systematic violations of human rights occurring in Xinjiang affecting Uyghurs and other Muslim ethnic minorities, including those raised by UN experts, and the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. She expressed Canada’s concerns over limits on Uyghur-language education and the practice of forcibly placing Uyghur children into residential schools.

“Ambassador May also reiterated Canada’s calls for China to allow UN independent experts unfettered access to all regions of China, including Xinjiang.

“Global Affairs Canada consulted key diaspora and civil society stakeholders in advance of this visit.”