Dear Mr. Ali Ibrahim:
  
I抳e noticed that an article titled US spoils for global religious war appeared on page 6 in The Egyptian Gazette on December 28. I抎 like to point out that the so-called 揾uman rights violations against around 100 million Muslims攂y the Chinese government is totally inconsistent with the truth. I 抎 like to take the chance to brief you on some basic facts about Chinese Muslims and Chinese religious policies.
  
All the Muslims in China enjoy full and equal civil rights as well as privileges for minority ethnic groups provided in the Constitution and the other laws. Currently, there are over 18 million minority ethnic citizens believing in Islam, over 30,000 mosques and over 40,000 Imams and clergymen in China. The Chinese government respects the Muslims?folk customs about diet, funeral, festival, marriage and so on. The government has also enacted regulations on the production of halal food and opened Muslims-only cemeteries. The government respects the freedom of religion of all the Muslims and provides them with preferential policies and treatment as well. There is no such question of the so-called 揾uman rights violations against Muslims?in China.
  
I hope the above information will help you to better know about the real life of Chinese Muslims. I also hope to keep in contact with you to exchange views on issues of mutual interest so as to safeguard and promote China-Egypt friendship and cooperation. If this letter shall be published on your paper to let more readers have an objective and comprehensive understanding of Chinese Muslims, it would be very much appreciated.
  
Best regards
  
Chen Hongbing
Spokesman of Chinese Embassy in Cairo
  

Published on Page 3, Egyptian Gazette, January 8, 2003