Taiwan’s premier calls for calm in Xinjiang

Taiwan Premier Liu Chao-shiuan has called on the Chinese government to handle the unrest in Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang Province, with self restraint. Showing concern for the ethnic tensions in Urumqi, Liu asked that basic rights and universal values by respected.

“We regret the communal violence in the Urumqi area in the past few days and are concerned about heavy casualties resulting from the incident,” Liu was quoted as having said at a weekly Cabinet meeting.

The premier further asked that the Chinese government protect the properties and personal safety of Taiwanese citizens living, doing business or traveling in the Xinjiang area.

Liu urged China to observe all of its ethnic groups’ basic human rights, such as freedom of religion, freedom of speech and freedom of assembly.

The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) also issued a statement asking all relevant parties to remain calm and communicate with each other in a peaceful and rational manner. In a statement, the MAC expressed the hope that China adheres to the two UN-sponsored human rights covenants. “Only through reform and progress on all fronts, not just economic growth, can a harmonious society be achieved,” read the statement.