China says World Bank report ‘clarifies truth’ on Xinjiang programmes

BEIJING: China responded on Tuesday to a decision by the World Bank to reduce funding for vocational training centres in the troubled western region of Xinjiang, by saying the bank's review of its projects had "clarified the truth".

The World Bank said on Monday that it will close a project involving five partner schools that were part of a US$50 million loan programme following allegations that they were linked to detention camps that target ethnic minorities.

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It said that a review conducted by senior managers did not substantiate the allegations, but that "in light of associated risks" with the schools which are "difficult to monitor", it would shutter the partnerships.

READ: World Bank scales back Uighur school project in China

China's Foreign Ministry said changes to the programme were made in consultation with the Chinese side, and were made for practical reasons.

"The report shows there are no so-called issues such as those hyped-up by the foreign media, and that the programmes are in accordance with the World Bank's policy," Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told a regular press briefing on Tuesday.

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"The World Bank has also consulted China on this. We agreed to implement the practical adjustments as soon as possible," he said.

The World Bank statement released on Monday said the organisation had immediately ceased payments after receiving the allegations in August, and that the remainder of its projects in Xinjiang will be placed under "enhanced supervision".

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