Chinese embassy clarifies

I have noticed that an article titled “We have grown indeed...” written by Rubana Huq was published in  The Daily Star on July 14 on page 7 (OP-ED). In this article it is said that “China banned Xinjiang Party members, students and teachers from Ramadan fasting.” The Embassy would like to make clearance as follows:
According to China's Constitution, Chinese citizens enjoy the freedom of religious belief and the state safeguards normal religious activities. The Chinese government respects and protects the freedom of religious belief and customs of China's 20 million Muslims by law and policy. In Xinjiang, there are more than 23,000 mosques and nearly 30,000 religious workers, and the Muslims enjoy full freedom of religious belief.
Like their Muslim brothers and sisters in Bangladesh, Chinese Muslims also take Ramadan as a sacred festival and are now enjoying the Ramadan in peace and serenity.
The practices of fasting and other normal activities by religious believers are protected by law in China. At the same time, the law stipulates that religion must not interfere with the judiciary, the executive administration, education and other state functions. Fasting is an individual choice, local administrations in Xinjiang never intervene in the Muslims' religious freedom and encourage halal restaurants and food shops to better serve Muslims during Ramadan. Minors are the future of a country and are in a critical stage of physical growth and knowledge attainment. For the protection of the minors' health, we don't encourage them to fast.
China and Bangladesh are good brothers, good partners and good neighbours. We welcome more Bangladeshi friends to visit China, develop a deeper understanding of China and Chinese Muslim communities and strengthen our mutual understanding and friendship.
Ye Wei
Political Attache of the Embassy of the P.R. of China in Bangladesh