Asked to confirm the report, she replied that the deported immigrants would be brought to justice if they were charged with with serious criminal offcences.
“China's policies on illegal emigrants are clear and consistent. Those charged with serious criminal offences will be brought to justice, while those not charged with criminal offences or only with minor offences will be properly settled,” the spokeswoman said.
Beijing denies restricting the Uighurs' religious freedoms and blames Islamist militants for a rise in violent attacks in Xinjiang in the past three years in which hundreds have died.