Photo taken on November 8, 2021 shows the Press Conference in Aksu Prefecture by Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Photo by Xinjiang Daily/ Zhou Peng

On November 8, 2021, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region held a special press conference in Aksu. By introducing the economic and social development and ecological improvement in Aksu, three officials and nine representatives from the general public were invited to tell the true stories of people of all ethnic groups living and working in peace and contentment while enjoying a happy life, which has strongly refuted the lies and fallacies of the Anti-China forces in the United States and the west who meant to slander Xinjiang.

Hostess: Good morning, media reporters! Welcome to the press conference in Aksu of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. I'm Guli Abulimu, the hostess of this press conference.

In recent years, the Anti-China forces in the United States and the West have ignored Xinjiang's unprecedented great achievements in economic development, cultural tourism, rural revitalization, ecological improvement and ethnic unity. While ignoring the facts, they even concocted fallacies such as "forced labor", "ethnic extinction" and "cultural extinction" based on lies and false information, in a vain attempt to tarnish the image of Xinjiang in the world and find pretext for their conspiracy of “controlling China via Xinjiang”. These platitudes and lies seriously violate facts, legal principles and morality, and they are a serious provocation to the bottom line of human civilization.

In fact, there’s economic development, social stability, improvement of livelihood, cultural prosperity, ethnic unity and religious harmony in Xinjiang. The people live and work in peace and contentment. The vast areas along the north and south of Tianshan Mountains have presented a scenario of stability and prosperity, and the senses of gain, happiness and security of the people of all ethnic groups have been constantly improved.

Photo taken on November 8, 2021 shows Guli Abulimu, the host of the Press Conference in Aksu Prefecture by Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Photo by Xinjiang Daily/ Zhou Peng

Today, we are pleased to have Niyaz Asimu, the Commissioner of Aksu Prefecture Administration, with us to introduce the overall situation of Aksu. We have also invited Alimu Azezi, the Director of Aksu Prefecture Bureau of Culture, Sports, Radio, Television and Tourism, and Turhong Mamat, the Director of Aksu Prefecture Bureau of Agriculture and Rural Areas, to answer the questions relating to concerns of media reporters. At the same time, we have invited 9 ordinary people to tell us about their happy life. They are: Du Minchao and Tuniyaz Ayla, the representatives of Bingtangxin apple growers in Hongqipo of Aksu City, Tohtigu Ahat, a guide of Naan Industrial Park in Kuqa City, Erken Kuttipitin, a graduate of Shaya County Education and Training Center; Kurban Shamixi, a maker of handmade musical instruments in Jiayi village, Xinhe County, Muhtan Turdi and Zhao Wuzhong, the walnut growers in Wensu County, Aygul Tuniyaz, the Manager of Performance Hall of Daolang Tribe in Awati County, and Marhaba Mamat, a teacher of the No.3 Primary School in Kuqa City.

Hostess: In Aksu of Xinjiang, historic achievements have been made in stable development and reform, with deepening exchanges and communications among all ethnic groups. During the period of the 13th Five-Year Plan, the regional GDP increased from 76.589 billion yuan to 131.505 billion yuan, and the average pure income of farmers and herdsmen increased from 11,457 yuan to 17,594 yuan. Besides, the ecological environment has been significantly improved, and the desert afforesting project focusing on "Five Million Mu" has been continuously implemented. We have also vigorously implemented practical and beneficial measures to improve people's livelihood, and the people of all ethnic groups have significantly enhanced their senses of gain, happiness and security. Now, let's give the floor to Niyaz Asimu, the Commissioner of Aksu Prefecture Administration, to introduce Aksu's economic and social development and improvement of people's livelihood.

Photo taken on November 8, 2021 shows Niyaz Asimu, the Commissioner of Aksu Prefecture Administration speaks at the Press Conference in Aksu Prefecture by Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Photo by Xinjiang Daily/ Zhou Peng

Niyaz Asimu: Ladies and gentlemen, fellow media reporters, it’s been my great pleasure to meet you here. Thank you for your long-standing concern and support for various undertakings in Aksu Prefecture.

Aksu is named after water, which means "Clear and Surging Water", and the name also implies tolerance, kindness, openness and optimism. Aksu was once an important post station on the ancient Silk Road, where Eastern and Western cultures mingled and formed the world-famous Qiuci culture. Three world cultural heritage sites are located here, including Kizil Caves), Kizilgaha Beacon Tower and Subash Temple Ruins.

Since the 18th CPC National Congress, with the strong support of our country, Aksu Prefecture has adhered to the general tone of seeking progress while maintaining stability, with full implementation of the new development concept, better service and integration into the new development pattern. Social stability and development have been attained. Thus, the whole Prefecture has shown a good situation of stability, health, unity, harmony and prosperity.

We have been holding high the banner of the rule of law, adhered to the use of thinking and methods of the rule of law to carry out counter-terrorist actions and the maintenance of stability, cracked down on violent terrorist crimes according to laws, resolutely maintained social harmony and stability, significantly curbed criminal cases and public security cases, and significantly improved the sense of security of cadres and people of all ethnic groups. Besides, we also protect citizens' freedom of religious belief according to laws, and the normal religious needs of religious believers are fully guaranteed. Furthermore, we also continue to consolidate and develop ethnic unity, and a large number of advanced models of ethnic unity at national level have emerged. Merchants in Wangsan Street and Xinglong Street in Aksu City have paired up and connected with each other as if relatives. 88 shareholders of seven nationalities jointly founded an "Ethnic Unity as One Family" restaurant and jointly planted a "Tree of Unity". The atmosphere of ethnic communication and integration is becoming stronger and the path to a happy life has become more and more approachable. A stable and harmonious social environment has become the greatest strength for Aksu to coordinate pandemic prevention and control while focusing on economic and social development, as well as the achievement of long-term stability.

We have being adhering to the philosophy of viewing high-quality development as the theme, taking supply side structural reform as the main line, and regarding reform and opening up as the driving force to continue to promote high-quality economic development. During the period of the 13th Five-Year Plan, the regional GDP grew by an average of 7.9%. Besides, we adhere to the goal of advancing to higher levels through the first industry, coordinate the construction of five bases of "grain, cotton, fruit, livestock and facility agriculture", and constantly optimize the agricultural industrial structure. Aksu cotton has excellent quality, and the rate of machine harvest is more than 80%. Furthermore, Aksu "Bingtangxin" apple, Kuqa "Small White Apricot" and Wensu "Thin Skinned Walnut " are well-known all over the country. At the same time, we also adhere to the focus on the second industry, actively integrating into the construction of the core area of the Silk Road Economic Belt, and promoting the development of "The Cluster of Six Industrial Industries " of energy and chemical industry, textile and garment industry, trade and logistics industry, strategic emerging industry, building materials and metallurgy industry, and agricultural and sideline products processing industry. Meanwhile, the local energy conversion rate has been continuously improved. Moreover, we also adhere to the great development of tertiary industry by accelerating the integration of commercial logistics resources to initially form 12 commercial formats, including pharmaceutical distribution, home building materials and automobile trading. With the "explosive" growth of tourism, Kekeya afforestation project, one of the "500 best places in the world", Tormu Peak, the highest peak of the magnificent Tianshan Mountain, the vast Taklimakan Desert, Daolang tribe with strong ethnic customs, and the mysterious Grand Canyon of Tianshan Mountain have all made hundreds of millions of tourists linger and attach to their beauties.

We have always adhered to the people-centered development concept, motivated the people of all ethnic groups to make solid progress from an all-round well-off society to the goal of common prosperity, closely adhered to the people's livelihood to promote high-quality economic development, vigorously guaranteed and improved the people's livelihood, advanced to the well-being of the people of all ethnic groups, and promoted employment and entrepreneurship through multiple channels to realize the goal of making everyone who has the will and ability to work to earn money. Besides, we have also given priority to the development of education in an all-round way. The kindergartens in different counties and village will be built as many as possible and school-age children should be enrolled as much as possible. Furthermore, we also improve the level of medical services in all fields. The standardization rate of township health centers and village clinics has reached 100%. Free physical examination is offered for all residents, together with family contracted doctor services and "diagnosis and treatment before payment" which have made medical treatments more convenient and affordable for the general public. At the same time, we have met the needs of the people from multiple angles, comprehensively improve the capacity of water supply, gas supply and power supply in urban and rural areas, and transformative changes have taken place in the living conditions of urban and rural residents. The visions concerned with people’s livelihood, such as educating for the young offspring, teachers for students, incomes for labor, treatment for illnesses, support for the elderly, houses for living, and support for the weak, have all become a reality, and the people of all ethnic groups have significantly enhanced their senses of achievement and happiness.

We always adhere to the concept of " Lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets", integrating carbon peak and carbon neutralization into the overall layout of ecological civilization construction, organically combine ecological governance with the development of characteristic industries, continuing to implement the "Kekeya Spirit" and continuing to implement the desert afforesting project focusing on "Five Million Mu". By 2020, the forest coverage rate will reach 8.9%, and the number of days with excellent air quality will reach 237. Besides, the afforesting coverage rate of urban built-up areas will reach 41.42%, and the annual average precipitation in recent ten years have increased to 106.3mm. A number of ecological projects such as Aksu National Wetland Park, Aksu National Forest Park and Duolang River Scenic Belt have all been completed and put into operation. The dream of "city in forest, water in city, house in park and people in scenery" has come true, and people of all ethnic groups are benefited from the green ecology.

Today's Aksu has a harmonious and stable society. The people are all living and working in peace and contentment, and the people of all ethnic groups are united together like pomegranate seeds. It is in the best period of development of its history. So now, we will seize the chance and make good use of the historic opportunity during the period of 14th Five-Year Plan, focusing on the overall goal of social stability and long-term stability, with unswerving implementation of the new development concept, focusing on the development orientation of the "Seven Districts", vigorously promoting the "Six Industries" clusters, actively cultivating the "Three Centers", striving to build three "Highlands", so as to accelerate the formation of a "Regional Central City". We will create a beautiful Aksu with unity, harmony, civilization and prosperity.

The apples in Aksu are already ripe. Here, we sincerely invite friends from all over the world and all sectors of society to come to Aksu to taste the sweetness of "Bingtangxin" apples and share the charm of "Green Aksu". The Marvelous Aksu welcomes you all. Thank you all for your attention!

Hostess: My thanks goes to Commissioner Niyaz Asimu for his introduction. In recent years, Xinjiang has vigorously implemented the construction of high-quality forest and fruit production base around Tarim Basin, and forestry and fruit industry have become the major pillar industries for the people in Southern Xinjiang to increase their incomes and thus become better off. Aksu, known as the Jiangnan Beyond the Great Wall, has made its Bingtangxin apple famous because of its unique water and soil conditions, as well as rich light exposure and heat resources, and its excellent quality has been known to everyone in our country. Next, let's invite Du Minchao and Tuniyaz Ayla, the representatives of Bingtangxin apple growers in Hongqipo of Aksu City, to tell their stories.

Photo taken on November 8, 2021 shows Du Minchao(left) and Tuniyaz Ayla(right), the representatives of Bingtangxin apple growers in Hongqipo of Aksu City speak at the Press Conference in Aksu Prefecture by Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Photo by Xinjiang Daily/ Zhou Peng

Du Minchao: Hello everyone, my name is Du Minchao. I have planted 280 mu of Bingtangxin apples in Hongqipo Farm of Aksu City.

Tuniyaz Ayla: Hello, everyone! My name is Tuniyaz Ayla. I am a member of the " Fengqing Orchard " cooperative. I joined Mr. Du's Cooperative in 2020, and now my family has 20 mu of land to grow apples. Now, the production of apples for per mu is about 2 tons and our pure income has been more than 5000 yuan.

Du Minchao: Our Hongqipo Farm is the main producing area of Aksu Bingtangxin apple. It has obtained geographical product certification, and it is also particularly famous home and abroad. Its sweetness is twice higher than that of ordinary apples. The reason why it is called "Bingtangxin" is that we have sufficient time of sunshine exposure and large temperature difference between day and night to retain sufficient sugar in those apples, and thus forming a unique "Bingtangxin" inside them. Today, we have also brought our Bingtangxin apple for you to have a taste. Now, please help yourselves.

Photo taken on November 8, 2021 shows Du Minchao and Tuniyaz Ayla, the representatives of Bingtangxin apple growers in Hongqipo of Aksu City invite audience to taste the apple at the Press Conference in Aksu Prefecture by Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Photo by Xinjiang Daily/ Zhou Peng

Du Minchao: I contracted the orchard at Hongqipo Farm in 2007. When I first planted Bingtangxin apples, I didn't know how to manage them at all. Later, a technician from Aksu Forestry and Fruit Industry Office taught me in person. Now, I have also summed up a set of secret techniques for apple-planting, which is, data management. Through the scientific monitoring of soil and fruit trees, I can accurately grasp when to water, trim and remove diseases and pests. Under such fine management, the yield and quality of fruit trees have been improved a lot.

In 2014, I established the "Fengqing Orchard" Fruit Farmers' Professional Cooperative with 6 fruit farmers. As a technician, I shared the theories of scientific planting with the members of the cooperative. Now, everyone in the cooperative has become a technical expert. In order to maintain a stable sales, the cooperative has signed long-term production and marketing agreements with several buyers. These buyers will directly send large trucks to our cooperative to collect apples during the harvest season. So now, we don't have to find places to sell apples as before. From the fruiting rate of this year, the output of 280 mu of apples that I have planted is expected to reach 840 tons, and the pure income can reach more than 1.5 million yuan.

Tuniyaz Ayla: In 2019, my friend and I passed by Mr. Du's orchard. We were attracted by the apples that he planted. Then, we walked into his orchard spontaneously and took a good look at those apples which were big and round. They also tasted crisp and sweet, and the yield of those apples was very high. So, I was eager to learn the planting technique from him. With an attitude of taking a chance, I found Mr. Du and told him my intention. Quite surprisingly, Mr. Du gladly agreed to let me join his cooperative. In the past, my apple trees were affected by diseases and pests. Their branches were short and could only produce hundreds of kilograms of apples per mu. So, Mr. Du often came to the orchard for guidance. He would climb up my fruit tree, help me trim the branches and tell me about planting techniques. Now, all the apple trees in my family are very tall, and even the leaves are much larger than before. This year is a bumper harvest year. The output of one mu of land has reached more than 2 tons, and the price of apples is also very good. I am very happy upon seeing this.

Du Minchao: Every time I drive to his orchard, he will cook a big table of polo and barbecue in advance to treat me. Brother Tu trusts me very much and plants in strict accordance with my opinions. Now, the production of his apples has increased. He is very happy about this, and I am also very happy. He also introduced his friends to join my cooperative, and the members of our cooperative have grown from 6 at the beginning to 32 at present. We help each other and get rich together. The life of each family is like this Bingtangxin apple. The longer we taste it, the sweeter it gets.

In recent years, online e-commerce has developed very fast. Many people sell their apples directly to customers through live-streaming. Without middlemen, the income of fruit farmers will be increased and customers will all gain benefits at the same time. Therefore, I organized the sales team of the cooperative to participate in e-commerce training in Aksu E-commerce Industrial Park. Now, our cooperative has registered its account in the Tik Tok, and we have also started live-streaming program to sell our products. This has broadened the sales channels of our apples, brought them from offline to online, and sold them to all parts of our country so that more people can enjoy our sweet and delicious Bingtangxin apples. Now, let’s take a look, everyone, these are the certificates obtained by our Bingtangxin apples.

Tuniyaz Ayla: In the past two years, I have learned how to scientifically plant apples from Mr. Du, and the quality and the output of my apples have improved a lot thanks to this. This year, I’m planning to take my family to Beijing and Shanghai after selling all the apples. I sincerely welcome all of you to taste our Bingtangxin apples. Now, let’s watch a video about our cooperative.

The rumor spread by Anti-China forces in the United States and the West that there is "forced labor" in Xinjiang is nothing but pure lie and slander. A lie would always be a lie even if being told for thousands of times, yet it would never affect our life of happiness.

Hostess: Thank you. Du Minchao and Tuniyaz Ayla for your introductions. Naan is a kind of traditional delicious food in Xinjiang. In recent years, Kuqa City of Aksu Prefecture has vigorously strengthened the development of Naan industry, which not only inherits the traditional food culture of Xinjiang, but also promotes the employment and prosperity of local masses. Next, let’s give the floor to Tohtigu Ahat, a guide of Naan Industrial Park in Kuqa City, to tell her story.

Photo taken on November 8, 2021 shows Tohtigu Ahat speaks at the Press Conference in Aksu Prefecture by Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Photo by Xinjiang Daily/ Zhou Peng

Tohtigu Ahat: Hello, everyone, I am Tohtigu Ahat, a guide of Kuqa Big Naan City. I am now 37 years old. People here all like to eat naan. I have been eating it since I was a kid, and many warm and unforgettable memories in my childhood are related to naan. Today, I’ll tell you the story about it.

In our local area, there is a saying that goes, “You can live without vegetables for three days, but cannot live without naan for even one day.” When I was a child, there was a naan pit in my family. It was just as common to make naan as cooking, and my grandparents and my parents were all able to make naan. First, they would get some flour before adding a pinch of salt and baking powder into the flour, then they would add water to make the dough. Then, they would put the dough aside for a while. When the dough was rolled out, patterns would be put on it before sesame seeds were scattered on it, and then it would be sent into the naan pit to bake. Every time when fresh naans were taken out of the oven, a group of kids would gather around and share it together. Especially when it is just baked and still hot, it is so delicious and crunchy that you can't stop eating it.

During festivals or harvest time in autumn, we would make different kinds of naans for guests and stack them up, together with some other foods and fruits. We would gather together and have a great time. No matter what the living conditions in families are, there must be naan on the table. It can be said that naan has a very important place in our life.

I grew up eating naan, and after becoming a guide of Big Naan City, I have a special feeling and a better understanding of naan bread. Especially in Kuqa, there are many kinds of naan. There is a kind of naan called Bijiak, which is famous and particular popular. Its diameter is about 70 to 80 cm, and it tastes crunchy and delicious. Also, Kuqa’s  large naan has the title of the “King of Naan”. Bijiak naan is originated from Bijiak village of Yixihala Town in Kuche(Kuqa) City. Since the people in this village have a long history of making naan, and the naans they made are very delicious, the Kuqa Big Naan City was built in this village.

Since I became a guide of Big Naan City, I’ve become interested in all kinds of naans and the cultures behind them. Take our Kuqa Big Naan City as an example: what we use to make naan is the "environmental naan pit" with natural gas as fuel, which not only reduces environmental pollution, but also improves speed and efficiency. There are 126 naan pits in Big Naan City, and more than 10,000 naans can be made every day, such as naan with pepper, naan with milky sesame, naan with rose and other 15 varieties. Every holiday, villagers from surrounding and neighboring counties will come here to buy naan. On trains or planes from Kuqa to Urumqi, you can often see passengers carrying boxes of large naans.

The government will provide free training of making naan for farmers every year, and regularly invite the inheritor of intangible cultural heritage to hold skills training and to give face-to-face and step-by-step guidance and training to naan makers in Big Naan City. Many farmers have mastered the skills of making naan and opened their own naan processing workshops. Various naans made by them are sold throughout the country.

Nowadays, Kuqa large naan has direct stores and sales outlets in Beijing, Shanghai, Ningbo, Chengdu and some other cities. Kuqa big naan has not only become a name card of folk cultural tourism in Kuqa , but also been rated as region-level intangible cultural heritage. Because of its characteristics of large, thin, crunchy and delicious, it is becoming more and more famous in our country.

Our naans not only represent a dining habit, but also become a inheritance and culture. The round naan is also a symbol of auspice, unity and prosperity.

I’ve seen some Western media saying that Xinjiang has "cultural genocide", which is pure nonsense. The cultures of our naan develop so fast. The cultural and entertainment life of masses is so rich and wonderful, and the economic and social development in Xinjiang is so prosperous. All people, no matter Xinjiang locals or tourists, say that Xinjiang is a good place, and there is no "cultural genocide". For those who have ulterior motives, please shut up and stop smearing Xinjiang and disturbing our happy life.

Hostess: Thanks Tohtigu Ahat for the introduction. Over the past 30 years, Aksu people have been carrying forward the "Kekeya spirit", vigorously implementing the project of desert afforesting, and continuously promoting the construction of ecological civilization. In Aksu, philosophy that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets" has been deeply rooted in people's hearts. Next, we will play a video to show the benefits that the green development in Aksu has brought to people of all ethnic groups through Kekeya Memorial Hall, Aksu Wetland Park and Jinhua Water Street Farmhouses.

  Hostess: In recent years, Aksu has carried out the training of vocational skills education in accordance with the laws, and the graduates have dispelled extremist’s thoughts, strengthened legal awareness, and mastered the Standard Spoken and Written Chinese Language and vocational skills. After finishing their courses, under the care of all parties, they started their own business and became better off through the skills they learned, and they’ve lived a happy life. Next, let’s give the floor to Erken Kuttipitin, a graduate of the Education and Training Center in Shaya County, to tell his story.

Photo taken on November 8, 2021 shows Erken Kuttipitin speaks at the Press Conference in Aksu Prefecture by Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Photo by Xinjiang Daily/ Zhou Peng

Erken Kuttipitin: Hello, everyone, I am Erken Kuttipitin, a graduate of the Education and Training Center in Shaya County. I’m 32 yeas old and now I'm starting my own business and running a finance company.

In the past, influenced by religious extremism, I didn't go to work and messed around every day. Also, I watched the audios and videos of violence and terrorist on the Internet, and gradually became hostile to those so-called "pagans", believing them to be not clean and not halal. But, after studying in the Education and Training Center, I deeply realized how stupid I was before.

I'm glad I went to the Education and Training Center for study, and the teachers there taught me a lot. The study in the Education and Training center, not only improves my ability in using the Standard Spoken and Written Chinese Language and enhance my legal consciousness, but also deepens my understanding of the harm of religious extremism. Definitely what I held in my mind is not the real doctrine of Islam. The Education and Training Center also offers good learning and living conditions, with free accommodation and education. I also learn computer knowledge at the center.

After finishing studying from the Education and Training Center, I wanted to start my own business with the knowledge and skills I had learned, but I couldn't find a suitable place at first. I reported the situation to the community. After the director of the community learned it, he helped me find an 80-square-meter small shop and go through the formalities for opening the shop. In April, 2019, my finance company was opened.

At the time, there was only one desk, one computer, and my wife and I were the only employees. I was both the boss and the employee. The business was not good at the beginning, so the community tried to help me publicize and solve all kinds of difficulties. Gradually, through word-of-mouth from my collaborators, more and more people in the county knew about my company and came and took the initiative to cooperate with me. Now there are more than 100 cooperatives cooperating with me, and my company has expanded to 120 square meters with six employees and more than 10 computers. My company signs labor contracts with employees in accordance with the law, and pays social security for employees every month. The employees can get the monthly salary of 3,500 to 8,000 yuan according to their performance. Also, at the end of the year, employees with good performance will get a bonus of more than 10,000 yuan. On holidays, my company also gives them beef, mutton and fruit, and now the employees are very enthusiastic about their work. With everyone's joint efforts, the company has developed very well.

Among the collaborators, it’s the Meilvzhou Agricultural Service Special Cooperative for Farmers in Shaya County that co-operates the most harmoniously with us, and it also has the best benefit. When this cooperative was founded, there were no professional financial personnel, and the person in charge did not know about finance. Also, they didn’t know how to share out a year-end bonus and how to distinguish private property and cooperative assets, and their financial affairs were in complete disorder. The benefits of the cooperative had also been poor. Later introduced by a friend, the head of the cooperative asked us to help him standardize financial management. After I went there, I helped them standardize their income base and account, make annual reports and apply for bank loans. Now the fund management of the cooperative is becoming more and more standardized, and the profits are getting better and better day by day. At the same time, the person in charge of the cooperative and I become good friends. We often discuss the future of the cooperative and I help them make a long-term financial plan. The person in charge of the cooperative also approves my plan.

Now, I’ve bought a car and a house in the county and taken my parents to live in the county. Looking at the spacious and bright houses, big TV and refrigerator, they are very happy. They told everyone they meet, "my son buys me a big house, and his company is also big." My parents were my pride when I was young, and now I am my parents’ pride. Every year when I have time, I take time to take my parents to travel. Looking at their smiling faces, I feel that all my efforts are not in vain.

I have learned on the Internet that Anti-China forces in the US and the West have slandered the existence of "forced labor" in Xinjiang and smeared the Education and Training Centers as "concentration camps", which is pure nonsense! They fabricate and spread these lies and rumors in order to deny our hard-won happy life and undermine the development and stability of Xinjiang. Their behavior is so despicable that we will never stand by and just watch.

Hostess: Thanks Erken Kuttipitin for his introduction. Xinjiang has always attached great importance to the protection and inheritance of traditional cultures of all ethnic groups. Aksu Prefecture has taken active measures to inherit and develop local intangible cultural heritages, and the traditional cultures of ethnic minorities have been effectively protected and inherited. Next, let’s invite Kurban Shamixi, the representative of cultural heritage in Xinhe County, to tell the story about the traditional instruments.

Photo taken on November 8, 2021 shows Kurban Shamixi speaks at the Press Conference in Aksu Prefecture by Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Photo by Xinjiang Daily/ Zhou Peng

Kurban Shamixi: Hello, everyone, I am Kurban Shamixi, a maker of handmade musical instruments in Jiayi Village of Yiqiairike Town in Xinhe County of Aksu Prefecture.

Jiayi Village has won the reputation of the "No.1 Village of Folk Handmade Instruments Making in Xinjiang, China". As early as more than 300 years ago, people here were engaged in agricultural production while making national instruments. Now more than half of the farmers in the village are engaged in making national instruments such as Dutar, Tambur and Satar. Our village is a "village with minority characteristics in Xinjiang" where every family has skills, every house has inheritance and everyone has a fine taste. In June 2008, the making skills of Uygur instruments were included in the second batch of the List of State-Level Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Take our family as an example: my grandfather and father both make national instruments. In the past, they had to rely on their own experience to make instruments, and they thought how to make them while processing them, which were old-fashioned and had imperfect timbre.

In 2008, our village set up a skills training class of instruments making to train a group of inheritors to make national instruments. Upon hearing this, my father encouraged me to attend the skills training class. A year later, it happened that the county government was going to select a group of young people to learn the skills of handmade instrument making in Xinjiang Arts University, and I was lucky to be selected, where I learned the skills of making and tuning. After graduation, I returned to Jiayi village and found uncle Rouzi Bawudong, the "king of instrument making" in the village, and I acknowledged him as my mentor to improve my skills. At the same time, I also met my love. She is my mentor's daughter, Manlisha Rouzi. We both love making national instruments and often discuss the skills and knowledge of instruments-making together. We got married in 2013 and started making instruments together.

Last year, with the help of the village committee, I organized 15 young people in the village to set up the "Hometown Instrument Sales Shop", selling instruments while teaching them to make instruments. We can make more than 400 instruments a month, and our annual income is more than 1 million yuan. Each of us earns more than 5500 yuan per month.

This is the Dutar made in our village. Let's listen to its timbre.

Photo taken on November 8, 2021 shows Kurban Shamixi plays Dutar at the Press Conference in Aksu Prefecture by Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Photo by Xinjiang Daily/ Zhou Peng

At present, there are five inheritors of intangible cultural heritage in our village, among whom one state-level inheritor enjoys an annual subsidy of 20,000 yuan, and four region-level inheritors enjoy an annual subsidy of 10,000 yuan. Our county turns the instrument making sites of these five inheritors into instrument making bases, and skills are inherited by training apprentices. Eyitti Yiming is an inheritor of state-level intangible cultural heritage, and he has trained 200 to 300 apprentices and taught them to get better life through making instruments.

Now, the village has also built a 10,000-square-meter showroom of instrument making and tourist reception center. Every year, tourists from all over the country, even from abroad, come to visit and buy national instruments. At the same time, relying on the e-commerce platform, the instruments in Jiayi Village have been sold to the whole country. Some young people who went out to work return to the village one after another to learn instrument making, and also seven or eight of my apprentices come back from other provinces and cities, hoping to make money and get rid of poverty by making national instruments. Kebair Niyaz, who once went to Xinjiang Arts University with me to learn making skills, now earns 6,000 yuan a month by teaching instruments making and lives a very happy life.

I was very indignant when I heard that the anti-China forces in the US and the West slandered the "cultural genocide" in Xinjiang. This is nothing but slander and nonsense. As a part of Chinese culture, all ethnic cultures in Xinjiang have been inherited, preserved. In our village, there are still many young people like me, and the government is very supportive of the heritage and protection of cultures of minorities. We can learn the skills of instrument making not only from mentors, but also from professional schools and it's free to learn. Here, I want to invite you to visit Xinjiang, visit Jiayi Village, witness our national instruments making, and feel the colorful cultures in Xinjiang.

Hostess: Thank you Kurban Shamixi for your introduction. In Wensu County of Aksu Prefecture, there are a couple of brothers who grow walnuts. Twenty years ago, they forged a deep friendship in the face of difficulties. Since then, they have been living hand in hand as brothers. Now, let’s invite, Muhtan Turdi and Zhao Wuzhong, the “Walnut Brothers”, to share their stories.

Photo taken on November 8, 2021 shows Muhtan Turdi and Zhao Wuzhong, the walnut growers in Wensu County speak at the Press Conference in Aksu Prefecture by Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Photo by Xinjiang Daily/ Zhou Peng

Muhtan Turdi: Hello, everyone. My name is Muhtan Turdi. I am 58 years old and I come from Wensu. I am glad to come here to share my story which is about my brother Zhao Wuzhong and me. He is my brother, Zhao Wuzhong.

Zhao Wuzhong: Hello, everyone. My name is Zhao Wuzhong. I am 54 years old. My hometown is Nanchong, Sichuan province. In the 1990s, I left my hometown to work in Xinjiang. At that time, Aksu was engaged in a desert greening construction project, and the government adopted loose preferential policies for fruit tree planting. As long as the fruit trees were alive, the profits brought by the fruit trees were the growers'. So I went to Kekeya Town in Wensu County where I met my brother, Muhtan, and contracted 35 mu of wasteland for walnut planting.

Muhtan Turdi: At that time, I saw him planting trees in our village. He was hardworking, capable and was not afraid of hardships. I was deeply impressed by him and liked him very much.

Zhao Wuzhong: 35 mu of walnut land costs at least 10,000 yuan a year. I worked in the walnut fields before dawn every day. But on the desert, it was hard to keep the trees alive. The tree planted for the first three years bears neither fruit nor income. I didn’t get back the money I put in. I was so anxious that I couldn’t keep going. During a break, I told Muhtan that I couldn't go on and I wanted to go back to my hometown.

Muhtan Turdi: At that time, I told him “it is a pity if you give up now. Just hold on. I will help you out. ”

Zhao Wuzhong: With the help of Muhtan, I worked for another year. But in 2002, a hailstorm destroyed the walnut trees. I had nothing left, and I sat in the field in despair. Upon hearing my situation, Muhtan lent me his savings of 10,000 yuan without hesitation. Some people thought he was silly. What if I just ran away with the money? But he said he trusted me. I was so moved that I did not know what to say. I will never forget his kindness.

Muhtan Turdi: I didn’t think too much at that time. I just want to help him. Since then, as we've seen more of each other, we've discussed everything together. In those years, every spring and autumn, the government called on people of all ethnic groups to plant windbreaks on a large scale. Gradually, the ecological environment of Kekeya is getting better and better. My brother and I could get more money through growing walnuts.

Zhao Wuzhong: Later, in order to help us to increase both production and income, many agricultural technicians were arranged to help us to learn how to grow walnuts scientifically and to manage fields. Muhtan and I also participated in the training class where we learned a lot about the advanced techniques of growing walnuts.

Muhtan Turdi: I had a hard time learning new skills because of my age and lack of education. Zhao wuzhong learns new techniques quickly because he has received education. He often came to my field to help, teach me new skills. My walnut yield increased from more than 100 kilograms per mu to more than 300 kilograms. The income also increased several times. My annual income was 80,000 yuan. I really owed a lot to my brother Zhao Wuzhong.

Zhao Wuzhong: Brother Muhtan and I are friends in need. Over the past 20 years, we have helped and cared for each other and lived a happy life by growing walnuts. Now both of us have bought our own houses and cars. Now not only are we rich, but also the villagers around us have also become rich through the scientific cultivation of walnuts. Every family has built new houses and bought new cars. Their lives are becoming more and more flourishing.

Muhtan Turdi: Zhao Wuzhong and I are like brothers. The children of our two families have studied, played and grown up together since childhood. The tie between the children is also deep, and we are like a family. We're brothers for our whole life. The anti-China forces accused Xinjiang of "forced labor". I feel very indignant. Should we be forced to make money with our own hands? I have lived a happy life through my own efforts, and believe that life will be better in the future. I want to tell those bad guys that if you want to undermine Xinjiang's development and stability and stop us from pursuing happiness, you are dreaming in your head.

Hostess: Thanks Muhtan Turdi and Zhao Wuzhong for your introductions. With the acceleration of regional tourism construction in Aksu, tourism has become a pillar industry to promote local employment and increase the income of people of all ethnic groups. Let’s watch a video and the guide Zhang will lead you to enjoy the beautiful scenery of Guiyuantianju Tacun Village scenic spot and you will see the happy life of local farmers and herdsmen whose income has increased through tourism .

  Hostess: Employment is the key point of people’s lives. Working makes our lives better. The Aksu government has promoted people's employment and entrepreneurship through various channels, realizing the dream of people of all ethnic groups to get rich through hard work. Now let’s welcome Aygul Tuniyaz, the manager of Daolang Tribal Performing Arts Hall, in Awati County.

Photo taken on November 8, 2021 shows Aygul Tuniyaz speaks at the Press Conference in Aksu Prefecture by Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Photo by Xinjiang Daily/ Zhou Peng

Aygul Tuniyaz: Hello everyone. I am the manager of Daolang Tribal Performing Arts Hall, which is the national 4A level scenic spot. I've been working here for 11 years and I love my job.

My parents are both farmers who make a living by working on the farmland. I have four sisters and I have two children. In 2010, in order to gain a better living and learning environment for my children, I chose to leave my hometown to work. Introduced by a friend, I came to Daolang tribal scenic spot to participate in the job interview.

I would like to introduce our Daolang tribal scenic spot to you. In our Daolang tribal scenic area, there are thousand-year-old populus euphratica forest, fruitful orchards, and national intangible cultural heritage "Daolang Dancing Party". It is an original ecological tourist spot with distinctive features, unique natural landscape and numerous entertainment projects. It is also a popular spot on the golden tourist line in Awati County and even Aksu Prefecture, receiving 100,000 tourists from home and abroad every year.

Over the years, I have worked as a tour guide and a dancer in the scenic area. In 2015, due to my outstanding performance and strong sense of responsibility, I was assigned to be the manager of the performing arts hall, responsible for the management and logistics support of the staff.

For me, I used to feel lost and helpless because I was working far away from home, but now I feel being loved and cared. I remember when I just started working, there was a time when there were a lot of tourists in the scenic spot and the restaurant was busy. I accidentally tipped tea on the skirt of the tourists. I was very nervous and did not know what to do. She did not blame me, but asked me whether I had scalded. When the manager and colleagues turned out, they also comforted me and told me to be more careful next time, which strengthened my determination to stay here. In January, I had a gall-stone attack and was in terrible pain. The manager of the scenic spot arranged for me to be driven to the hospital, paid the fee for my medical treatment and medicine, and asked my colleagues to take care of me at the hospital all the time. Other colleagues came to see me when they heard about it. These behaviors make me feel the warmth of my family, and I cherish and love my current job more.

From April to November is the peak tourist season and it's also the busiest time. There are a lot of tourists from all over China, receiving tourists from all over the country. My vision is broadened, what’s more, I have made many friends. I have now bought a car, and when I am off from work, I can drive home at any time and take my family to go shopping or travel. Our family's favorite place is our scenic spot, because the scenic spot is like my second home.

In recent years, with the development of the tourism industry, many farmers have begun to engage in tourism-related work. They earn more money, gaining a happier life. There are more than 100 employees like me in our scenic spot. Most of us used to be farmers, but now thanks to the development of tourism, we have suitable jobs, stable income and a happy life, and are more confident about the future. I would like to invite you to visit Awati and experience the golden original populus euphratica forest and the mysterious tribal civilization. I will try my best to serve all of you.

Western anti-China forces fabricated vicious lies about the existence of "forced labor" in Xinjiang. What they did was ridiculous and shameless. I would like to tell them to stop their behaviour. We love our hometown and yearn for a better life. We do what we love to do and we live happily ever after. Your lies will not undermine our unity or affect our pursuit of a better future!

Hostess: Many thanks. Education is the cure for inter-generational transmission of poverty. The Xinjiang government attaches great importance to education, which is one of the people-benefit projects and gives priority to its development. Now, let’s welcome Marhaba Mamat, the teacher of Kuqa No. 3 Primary School, to tell stories about education.

Photo taken on November 8, 2021 shows  speaks at the Press Conference in Aksu Prefecture by Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Photo by Xinjiang Daily/ Zhou Peng

Marhaba Mamat: Hello everyone, I am Marhaba Mamat, a teacher from Kuqa No. 3 Primary School. Due to the fact that my mother was a teacher, I became a glorious people's teacher after I graduated from university.

From 2013 to 2019, I worked as a teacher in a village-level primary school in Alahage Town, Kuqa City. The campus is well built, with new desks and chairs, modern multimedia educational equipment, bright classrooms, and clean student canteens. Students and parents are very satisfied.

Since April 2019, I have been working as a math teacher in Kuqa No. 3 Primary School. I like singing, dancing and cultural activities. In my spare time, I often take part in cultural activities organized by our school. In December last year, a neck twisting dance in our school became a hot topic on the Internet and was reported by CCTV, which was well received by netizens all over the country. Our whole school is very happy and proud. This dance was choreographed by the teacher Wu Xiaoyu based on the traditional dance of the Uygur nationality. At first, students from my class began to dance, and then students from other classes came to our class to learn it, and gradually it became popular in the whole school. Every break time, students will start to do the neck twisting dance, which has become a unique scene in our school. In this way, students not only enrich campus cultural life, but also improve their physical fitness, and create a positive style of study.

As a teacher, I have taught many students during my years working as a teacher. They are lovely ones who work very hard. I feel especially proud and satisfied to teach these lovely children every day.

At the same time, I have witnessed the benefits that the state's education policy has brought to people of all ethnic groups. For example, the government has guaranteed funding for three-year preschool education in rural areas, exempted textbook fees and tuition and miscellaneous fees for compulsory education, subsidized money for boarders, provided living allowances for poor students in compulsory education and so on. Nowadays, students can go to school for free. On top of that, they can get a free lunch at school.

Education projects not only alleviated the financial burden of many students' families, but also helped more children from poor families realize their dream of studying. There were two students from poor families in our class, Sharipa Ababekri and Alnazar Alimu, who were not only exempted from textbooks and tuition fees, but also given an annual living allowance. At present, Alnazar Alimu is studying at Fukang No. 4 Middle School, and Sharipa Ababekri is studying at Kuqa No. 7 Middle School. They still have living subsidies.

Some Western media are making groundless accusations against the Xinjiang government of "genocide" and forcing ethnic minority children to go to boarding schools. These groundless rumors are totally lies with ulterior motives. I can guarantee you that students' choice of day study or accommodation is based on the wishes of their parents. Parents can go to school whenever they want, and "forced boarding" does not exist. Please stop lying. I also want to invite people from all over the world to come to Southern Xinjiang to see our modern education and the benefits which are brought about by the government’s education projects.

Host：Thanks Marhaba Mamat for his introduction. It is time for questions. The first row, please.

Reporter of Xinhua Net: Thank you, hostess. I am a reporter of Xinhua Net. Xinjiang is vigorously implementing the rural revitalization strategy. After the people of all ethnic groups and the whole country have entered a moderately prosperous society together, how can Aksu promote the all-round rural revitalization and the common prosperity of farmers? Thanks.

Hostess: Turhong Mamat, the director of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Bureau of Aksu Prefecture, please answer this question.

Photo taken on November 8, 2021 shows Marhaba Mamat answers questions at the Press Conference in Aksu Prefecture by Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Photo by Xinjiang Daily/ Zhou Peng

Turhong Mamat: Hello, reporter friends. I am Turhong Mamat, the director of Agricultural and Rural Affairs Bureau of Aksu Prefecture.

In 2020, Aksu took the lead in carrying out a pilot project to consolidate and improve poverty alleviation and implement the rural revitalization strategy, making every effort to build an “Aksu Model”for rural revitalization. The total rural economy reached 60.59 billion yuan, ranking first in Xinjiang. The per capita net income of farmers and herdsmen reached 17,594 yuan, an increase of 8.4% compared with 2019. We have been promoting overall rural revitalization in accordance with the general requirements of thriving industry, livable ecology, civilized customs, effective governance and prosperous life.

Only with thriving industries, can the farmers get prosperous. We continue to fuel the rural revitalization with the development of agricultural industry, comprehensively optimize the distribution of rural industrial development , focus on building the five bases for grain, cotton, fruit, livestock, facility agriculture, actively explore and develop ways of integrating various types of rural industries, and extend the agricultural industrial chain, forming the sustainable development model of the whole industrial chain of agricultural industrialization. For example, Xinjiang Alnuri Agricultural Science and Technology Development Co.,Ltd., located in Keping County, has a 30,000 mu of production base for green organic wheat. It has developed and produced more than 20 varieties of Nang (a kind of crusty pancake in Xinjiang). More than 1,000 Nang chain stores and direct flour stores have been set up across the country, with an annual sales of 150 million yuan, realizing the integrated development of the primary, secondary and tertiary industries of organic wheat planting, pasta processing and marketing. And Agricultural products, taking the advantage of online and offline "ten cities and 100 stores", e-commerce, live streaming and other platforms, are sold all over the country. For example, in Tuoyibaoledi Town, Shaya County, in recent years, more than 20 kinds of characteristic agricultural products and handicrafts have been sold, such as apples, pears, beef, mutton, embroidery and wooding carving. We accelerate the cluster development of energy and chemical industry, textile and clothing, agricultural and sideline products processing, building materials and metallurgy, equipment manufacturing and strategic emerging. And we give priority to developing industries with strong employability. In 2020, total 89,000 quality jobs suitable for farmers and herdsmen have been developed. For example, Siqi Clothing Factory in Qiman Town, Kuqa City mainly produces all kinds handmade embroidery, clothing, hats, bedding and so on. The factory is built in their doorway, helping 79 surrounding people realize the dream of working near home.

Only with the beautiful ecological environment, can the country be really beautiful. We continue to lead rural revitalization through green ecological development, vigorously implement ecological governance and restoration projects, coordinate the systematic governance of mountains, rivers, forests, farmland, lakes, grass and sand, intensify efforts to improve the rural living environment, making the “face score” and “temperament”of rural areas continued to improve. Two national wetland parks and one nature reserve have been built, and the area of wetland has reached 345,500 hectares.For example, in the past, Kekeya was desolate, but nowadays it has not only become an important forest and fruit base in Aksu, but also become people’s first choice of outing and leisure resulting from the rise of agritainment. We continue to carry out the project of “renovating one thousand villages, demonstrating one hundred villages”. The rural living environment continues to improve, and the infrastructure for fields, canals, roads, forests and Internet continued to improve. Rural houses are scattered, and the penetration rate of sanitary toilets has reached 97.53%, and the garbage collection and transportation system has covered 100%. The beautiful and livable new countryside with flowers in spring, shade in summer, fruits in autumn and beautiful scenery in winter gives the villagers a more secure and comfortable life. For example, the villagers of Uke Tierek Village, Kzile Town, Wensu County have beautified the courtyard, enriched the foods and drummed up their pockets by developing the “fruit-vegetable-poultry” circular ecological garden economy.

Only with thriving undertakings, can rural areas be prosperous. We will continue to promote rural revitalization through the development of social undertakings and strive to solve hot issues concerning people’s livelihood, such as rural culture, education, medical care and talents. Now, villagers’ activity center, leisure cultural square, rural library and the civilization practice center of new era have been built in villages. Besides, the formation of art teams makes the cultural life of people more colorful. 100% of rural health centers (rooms) have reached the standards. The level of medical security has been continuously improved, and it is no longer difficult for villages to seek medical treatments. What’s more, the free physical examination is regularly organized every year. All school-age children in the compulsory education have the chance to enter school. We will vigorously cultivate high-quality farmers and actively attract all kinds of talents to devote to rural construction. The management of village-level organization is more democratic and scientific, and the enthusiasm of the villagers to participate in the management of village-level affairs is constantly improving, and the village collective economy is continuing to develop, and more and more villagers enjoy the dividends of reforms and development. For example, in 2020, the total dividend of 289 households in Ying Ak Airik Village, Kalatale Town, Aksu City reached 2,922,900 yuan, and the dividend of Davuti Abdukrem reached 24,000 yuan.

Now, a scene of prosperity spreads out everywhere in Aksu. All of the people are beaming with happiness. In the future, we will base ourselves on reality, accelerate the modernization of agriculture and rural areas, develop the high-quality and effective agriculture, build livable and work-suitable rural areas, promote the prosperity of farmers and strive to write a new chapter of all-round rural revitalization.

Hostess: Thank you, Turhong Mamat, for your answer. Please continue to ask questions. The second row, please.

Reporter of China News Service: Thank you, the host. I am the reporter of China News Service. In the recent years, Aksu has vigorously promoted the protection and inheritance of intangible cultural heritage, and actively trained inheritors. Could anyone talk about the specific situation in protecting and inheriting the culture among ethnic minorities and driving the development of tourism in Aksu Prefecture? Thanks.

Hostess: Alimu Azezi, the director of Culture and Sports Broadcasting and Television Station and Tourism Bureau of Aksu Prefecture, please answer this question.

Photo taken on November 8, 2021 shows Alimu Azezi, the Director of Aksu Prefecture Bureau of Culture, Sports, Radio, Television and Tourism answers questions at the Press Conference in Aksu Prefecture by Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Photo by Xinjiang Daily/ Zhou Peng

Alimu Azezi：Hello everyone, I am Alimu Azezi, the director of Culture and Sports Broadcasting and Television Station and Tourism Bureau of Aksu Prefecture. I am very happy to meet you here.

For a long time, we have adhered to the purpose of serving, inheriting and protecting ethnic minority cultures, and intensifying the excavation and protection of ethnic minority cultural heritage, so that great progress has been made in the protection and inheritance of ethnic minority cultural heritage, as well as ethnic minority literary creation and talent training, which effectively guarantees the protection and inheritance of Aksu intangible cultural heritage. Up to now, there are 9 national intangible cultural heritage projects in Aksu area, 349 other intangible cultural heritage projects at various levels, and 364 project inheritors. The government invests more than 1 million yuan every year to protect and inherit the cultural heritage of ethnic minorities. At present, there are 1538 cultural institutions of all levels and types in the Prefecture, achieving full coverage of public cultural services at the four levels: prefecture, county, township, and village. In recent years, various regional intangible cultural heritage projects have received more than 28 million yuan of special support funds from the central government, autonomous region and local government.

We have established intangible cultural heritage protection and research centers at the local and county levels. Up to now, the intangible cultural heritage protection project at regional level----Air Runner(a traditional Uyghur sport), has represented Xinjiang in the Traditional Minority National Sports Games for four consecutive sessions and won the gold award. Qiman Town, Kuqa City is known as the "Hometown of Uyghur Muqam". Halqam Timur, inheritor of Uyghur folk song, which is a national intangible cultural heritage, comes from Qiman Town, Kuqa City. She has been active on the folk art stage for a long time and has trained more than 500 students who sing Kuqa folk songs. Many of her apprentices have become famous local folk singers. At present, "Kuqa Folk Songs, Kuqa Sainaimu" has become a major brand promoting rural tourism.

In Awati County, Aksu Prefecture, the rough, bold, and passionate original Daolang Muqam has a unique artistic charm. Abdukadir Musa, inheritor of Daolang Muqam, the regional intangible cultural heritage, is 76 years old this year. He has trained more than 60 apprentices, some of them perform for tourists in the Daolang Tribe scenic area in Awati County, and some of them have become folk artists.

Jiayi Village, Xinhe County, Aksu Prefecture has a 300-year history of handmade musical instruments. There are 326 households in the village. Nearly 50% of the villagers are engaged in musical instrument making. It can be described as "within ten steps, there must be a musical instrument craftsman". Every year, there are more than 60,000 musical instruments that can be produced and sold on average, and the average income of each household is around 8,000 yuan, allowing more people to get rich by relying on "intangible cultural heritage". Today, Jiayi Village has become a characteristic ethnic village which integrates musical instrument making, leisure vacation, tourism and shopping, and has been named "the first village of folk handmade musical instruments in Xinjiang, China". In order to play the intangible cultural heritage brand effect, Jiayi Village has established a musical instrument production cooperative. With an annual turnover of more than 5 million yuan, it has achieved both social and economic benefits.

In the Internet age, traditional crafts such as Big Nang in Kuqa, thin-crust Nang in Keping , Musalais in Awati County, Peasant Painting and Kirgiz Embroidery and so on have been given new vitality. All sectors of society intensify the research and development of intangible cultural heritage products, sell the products through online platforms such as Taobao, JD, and Pinduoduo, and strive to create a new consumption chain of "intangible heritage + e-commerce + tourism". With annual sales of more than 2 million yuan, it has blazed a new trail for local farmers to increase their income and become rich. Now, intangible cultural heritage products have become an important brand of "Aksu Gifts" and are sold well all over the country.

The anti-China forces in the United States and the West spread the fallacy of Xinjiang’s "cultural extinction" maliciously and smear us Chinese. The truth is that the government provides a large amount of funds every year to support the protection of the heritage of ethnic intangible cultural heritage, and cultivate inheritors positively. Various types of inheritors at all levels and a large number of folk artists are active on various stages. "Enjoying the scenery in northern Xinjiang, and enjoying the humanities in southern Xinjiang." Taking this opportunity, we sincerely invite domestic and foreign friends to visit Aksu and experience the long history, culture and unique humanistic charm of the beautiful Aksu.

Then, let’s watch a video to learn about the protection and inheritance of the intangible cultural heritage in Aksu Prefecture.

  Hostess: Thank you Alimu Azezi for your answer. Just now, Niyaz Asimu, the Commissioner of Aksu Prefecture administration, introduced to us the economic and social development and the improvement of people’s livelihood in Aksu. Nine citizens shared their life experiences and living conditions. The person in charge of relevant units introduced to us the development of industries that enrich the villagers, infrastructure construction, ecological environment improvement, cultural heritage protection, and tourism, etc., which let us see Aksu where the society is stable and harmonious, the people live and work in peace, the ecology continues to improve, and all undertakings are flourishing. It is hoped that the American and Western anti-China forces can see the objective facts of Xinjiang’s stability and harmony, unity and development, and improvement of people’s livelihood, stop futile rumors and slanders, stop make trouble out of nothing, and evaluate the efforts of the Chinese government for the stable development of Xinjiang objectively and fairly. This is the end of today’s press conference. Thank all the speakers and media friends.