Ministry critical of media bias

A spokeswoman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs accused a French journalist on Dec 2 of political bias for her reporting on Beijing's efforts to fight terrorism in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region.

Terrorism is a common challenge for all mankind, the spokeswoman, Hua Chunying, said at a news conference in Beijing. She leveled criticism at some foreign media reports labeling terrorist attacks in China as ethnic and religious issues.

"There is no difference between 'good' and 'bad' terrorism," Hua said.

On Nov 18, French weekly news magazine Le Nouvel Observateur published an article on its website authored by staff writer Ursula Gauthier. The article blamed the Chinese government's policies in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region for terrorist attacks the country has suffered.

At the news conference, a reporter asked a lengthy question referring in part to widespread criticism of the French article by Chinese netizens and media.

The French article appeared a few days after the deadly terrorist attacks in Paris on Nov 13. President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang offered condolences on behalf of the Chinese people.

But the article said there were "arriere-pensees", or hidden motives, behind China's support.

The writer "cannot tell good from bad", said Chinese micro-blogger @ZhoumangCopiste.

An editorial in the Chinese edition of Beijing-based Global Times on Nov 20 said a Chinese woman living in France saw the article and faxed it to the newspaper on Nov 19 to express her outrage.

Hua, the spokeswoman, said while there is an international consensus against terrorism, "the ridiculous remarks spread by certain individuals and media are not in the least conducive to the international anti-terror effort".

"We oppose linking terrorism to specific ethnicities or religions, and we resolutely oppose double standards when it comes to the anti-terror issue," Hua said.

"It is also hard to understand why the fight against terror - which is routine when it comes to other countries - turns into a so-called 'ethnic crackdown' when it comes to China."

Hua urged foreign media professionals to avoid "blind prejudice" and respect facts and journalistic codes when covering news about China.

She also responded to a question asking about the claim that Gauthier's foreign reporter accreditation had not been renewed.

The Foreign Ministry manages the affairs of foreign news agencies and journalists. The annual routine renewal of the foreign reporters' press cards "is proceeding in an orderly manner", Hua said.

zhangyunbi@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily European Weekly 12/04/2015 page2)