The people of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region should have the right to define their own lives without external inference, officials from the region told a media briefing in Beijing on Monday.

China slams many Western countries for interfering in its internal affairs in Xinjiang, while the West accuses the Chinese government of human rights abuses in the region.

Monday marked the 12th anniversary of the outbreak of riots in Urumqi, capital of Xinjiang. Officials say 197 people were killed and more than 1,700 people were injured in 2009 in what they said was violence instigated by ideas of separatism, extremism and terrorism.

Many victims can still recall events quite clearly.

Saytjan Sawur, a policeman, was patrolling the Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar when riots broke out. "I used my body to block the entrance door of the tourist tower. They attempted to break in, but failed and they left. I was severely injured from that and passed out after 15 minutes from holding onto the door," he recalled. 

People from all sectors of society were affected, including Zhao Aiqin's husband. She explained the injuries he sustained while working as a bus driver.

"He can no longer live a normal life or work. My family has been impacted. My husband used to be gentle, outgoing and have a good working spirit. He has become silent since then," Zhao said.

Officials and victims say the riots were attempts by external forces to meddle in China's internal affairs and create chaos in the autonomous region. They say Western ambitions have not stopped there, and have been extended to targeting local industries.

Xu Guixiang, spokesperson of Information Office at People's Government of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, emphasized that it is to "damage the basic human rights of all the ethnic groups."

"It is to invite the return of terrorism and instability, so they can meddle in China's internal affairs and stop the development of the country," he added.

Xinjiang has become a focal point of attacks by the West against China in recent years. Claims of human rights abuses of minority groups in the region are constantly being rejected by the Chinese government as false and baseless.

The region's photovoltaic industry has become the latest target of the U.S. Department of Commerce, after Xinjiang's cotton industry was penalized.

The department sanctioned five companies: Hoshine Silicon Industry, three other Chinese companies – Xinjiang Daqo New Energy, Xinjiang East Hope Nonferrous Metals and Xinjiang GCL New Energy Material Technology – as well as the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps.

The U.S. claims these companies were involved in forced labor of Uygurs and other minority groups in Xinjiang.

Local officials notice their claims have an ulterior motive.

Xu said, "Their unjustified moves in the industries are attempts to secure a leading position in the global supply chain. This is purely hegemonic and power politics."

Xinjiang produces 45 percent of the world's polysilicon, a key raw material in the solar photovoltaic and electronics industries. China's Ministry of Commerce said in late June that the country will take necessary measures to safeguard its rights.

Workers in this industry say they're fed up by the West's accusations.

Abalt Alim is a safety check worker at Hesheng Silicon Industry Limited in Xinjiang. He earned a round of laughter at the press conference for his remark.

"The company I work at does not have any so-called forced labor. No one has been forced. Take a look at my figure and how I am now. Do I look like I am being suppressed?" Alim asked.

According to data from the China Photovoltaic Industry Association, China became the world's largest polysilicon producer in 2020 with an output of 396,000 tonnes.

Officials say American sanctions are just another attempt to damage people's livelihoods in the region, but the people living there won't allow that to happen.