China insists that a star Premier League player who criticized China's crackdown on Muslims was 'blinded by fake news' and invites him to Xinjiang to see the detention centers for himself
China on Sunday pulled coverage of Arsenal's match against Manchester City in response to the criticism., Chinese fans on microblogging site Weibo lashed out at Ozil's posts, with one user saying that they contained "malicious disinformation to provide a cheap excuse for extremism."
Arsenal quickly distanced themselves from the 31-year-old German-Turkish player, saying that the club "has always adhered to the principle of not involving itself in politics." On Monday, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang responded to the controversy, urging Ozil to "come to see Xinjiang for himself."
"I don't know if Mr. Ozil has been to Xinjiang personally. But he seems to have been deceived by fake news, and his judgment has been influenced by untrue words," Geng said, according to state news agency"We welcome Mr. Ozil to come to Xinjiang, and walk around to have a look," Geng added. "So long as he has a conscience, can tell right from wrong and maintain an objective and impartial attitude, he will see a 'different' Xinjiang.
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