The head of an international organization of exiled Uygurs has come down heavily on the Chinese government for its oppression of the ethnic minority group in that country.
Addressing the general assembly of the organization that opened in Tokyo on Monday, World Uyghur Congress President Rebiya Kadeer, who lives in the United States, said the Chinese government was stepping up its violent and oppressive policies against the Uygurs.
Urging the Chinese leaders to listen to the various ethnic groups in that country, she said it was impossible for China to establish an international standing without first solving its ethnic problems.
About 130 exiled Uygurs living in 20 countries and their supporters gathered for the event, which is held once in three years and is being hosted by Japan for the first time. The four-day conference will discuss how to support Uygurs in China, Japanese media reported.
China is strongly opposed to Japan hosting the meeting. Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao referred to the matter during a meeting with Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda in Beijing on Sunday. Wen said Japan should respect China's core interests and deal with them in a careful and appropriate way.
For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com
Political News
June 12, 2026 17:14 ET Major central bank action was the focus this week in economic news. The European Central Bank became the first major central bank to move in response to the rising inflationary pressures in the backdrop of the conflict in the Middle East. In North America, the U.S. inflation and trade data as well as Canada’s central bank decision gained attention. The Chinese trade data was the main news in Asia.