Don't mistake crimes for ethnic conflict

Ethnic problems or conflicts should be made clear instead of being mixed up with other issues. Some conflicts happen in regions with minority groups, while some criminal law-breaking activities involve minorities; neither should be simply considered ethnic conflicts. All conflicts and problems should be dealt with according to the law and that's the basis of rule of law in the autonomous regions.

xinhuanet.com, Dec 22

Courts in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region should strictly judge the violent cases that threaten State security and undermine unity among different ethnic groups, so as to ensure a healthy and stable development of the Xinjiang economy. At the same time, they also need to carefully distinguish different cases, because their proper verdicts can promote harmony in Xinjiang.

Zhou Qiang, president of the Supreme People's Court, chinanews.com, Dec 18

The new guidelines on issues in minority autonomous groups are more practical. Certain officials used to exaggerate incidents involving minorities as ethnic conflicts. By doing so they are passing the buck to cover their own mistakes.

He Weifang, professor of law at Peking University, via sina micro blog

A basic principle of modern society is that everyone is equal before the law, this applies to all ethnic groups.

Qianjunke, via sina micro blog

Unity of multiple ethnic groups is not empty talk, but something naturally imbued in the daily lives of all. A prosperous, happy life is the common pursuit of all ethnic groups and please do not judge them differently.

people.com.cn, Dec 14