There are no so-called "re-education camps" in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said on Monday, noting that the facilities are vocational education and training centers aimed at preventing terrorism and extremism.

It is not true that the trainees and their children are separated for long periods, Geng said at a regular press briefing.

The trainees' children are taken care of by other family members, he said, adding that the trainees can go home on the weekends to take care of their children and take a leave if they need.

The vocational education and training centers in Xinjiang, launched in accordance with relevant laws, aim to help those who are swayed by terrorism and extremism to return to the right track and help them obtain skills to support themselves and reintegrate into society.