Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily（Reporter Fan Qiongyan, Intern Yang Yanyu) news: From April 7 to 11, 2024, a delegation of think tank scholars and media personnel from relevant states visited Urumqi City and Ili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. They visited scenic spots, museums, mosques, residential communities and enterprises, had in-depth exchanges with residents of all ethnic groups, and felt the real situation of local economic and social development, cultural prosperity, religious harmony and people's living and working in peace and contentment.

Photo taken on April 7, 2024 shows the delegation visits Xinjiang Museum in Urumqi, capital city of northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo by Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily/ Fan Qiongyan)

Walking into the Xinjiang Museum, the delegation learned from the docents about the history and culture of Xinjiang through the precious cultural relics, including the exquisite and ingenious gold belt buckle with eight-dragon pattern, and the "Five Stars Rise in the East, benefiting China" brocade, which is the the most precious treasure of the museum, etc.

"China’s Xinjiang embraces a long history. It is a place where various ethnic groups have lived together, many cultures have communicated with each other, and different religions have coexisted since ancient times. Different civilizations and cultures are nurtured here." Mehmet Ekinci, a scholar at the SETA Foundation for Political, Economic and Social Research, said that he was impressed by the trip and felt that the charm of Xinjiang is too profound to explore for only one time.

Standing on the top of the Hongshan Mountain, it offers an overlooking view of the Tianshan Bogda Peak and the panoramic Urumqi City. Sonya Michaella, a senior journalist of Indonesia Digital Network (IDN), who came to Xinjiang for the first time, said that Xinjiang develops very fast and the cities here are modern. Seeing is believing, Xinjiang is very beautiful and completely different from what Western media reports.

In the south community of Yuejin Street, Hejiashan Street, Urumqi City, the delegation visited the one-stop service hall, the “peacemaker station” built for resolving disputes for residents, a youth home that offers services for enriching children's after-school lives, learned about the employment situation of community residents at the odd job station, and experienced traditional Chinese medicine massage and Uygur medicine at the health service center. Members of the delegation said that they could see the results of the government's efforts to improve people's livelihoods, the national cultural heritage is well protected, and residents live a happy life.

Photo taken on April 9, 2024 shows one of the members of the delegation (first from left) experiences the seat of a car at the Xinjiang branch of Guangzhou Automobile Group Corporation in Urumqi City. (Photo by Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily/ Fan Qiongyan)

Walking into the Xinjiang Branch of the Xinjiang branch of Guangzhou Automobile Group Corporation in Urumqi City, the delegation looked over the automated production lines for automobiles. In the master's studio, an instrument to test the stability of hands of production workers aroused everyone's interest, and many members of the delegation had a try. A senior journalist of Asharq Al-Awsat said, "We saw workers of all ethnic groups working together to create a better life with their hands here."

At the Xinjiang Islamic Institute, the Yanghang Mosque in Urumqi City, Shaanxi Grand Mosque of Yining City, the delegation members communicated with religious personnel, learned about the situations of clerical personnel training, religious activity and so on. “The environments of mosques are beautiful, and the conditions are good, people in Xinjiang enjoy the freedom of faith,” said Rachmat Yuliantoro, chair of department of international relations at Gadjah Mada University in Indonesia.

In the Kazanqi folk tourism area of Yining City, Ili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China’s Xinjiang, the members of the delegation were impressed by the welcome dance and the bright smiles on people’s faces, and they joined the singing and dancing with the people from different ethnics dressed best clothes, celebrating the Roza Festival. They went into the residents' homes, drank tea, tasted snacks, ate ice cream, and spent a happy holiday time with them. They learned about the Xibe ethnic group’s westward migration, cultural inheritance and protection in Xibe ancient city of Qabqal Xibe Autonomous County, Ili Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China’s Xinjiang. At the China-Kazakhstan Horgos International Border Cooperation Center, they learned about the construction of the Horgos area of the China (Xinjiang) Pilot Free Trade Zone, and witnessed Xinjiang’s development.

Photo taken on April 10, 2024 shows a member of the delegation takes photo for local residents. (Photo by Li Jian)

"I have been to many places, and I should say that I got one of my best memories in Xinjiang, and I will share these good experiences with my family and friends," said Alireza Gholipour, deputy director general of Institute for Political and International Studies in Iran.

The delegation also watched Xinjiang’s anti-terrorism and de-radicalization theme exhibition, and visited the Planning Hall of Urumqi City, Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar, the News Office of Qapqal Xibe Autonomous County and the Liuxingjie scenic spot of Yining City.

The delegation members witnessed and experienced that China’s Xinjiang fully respects and protects human rights, and people from different ethnic groups are living a better life in harmony. Ezzeddine Abdelmoula, head of the delegation and manager of research of Al Jazeera Centre for Studies (AJSC) in Qatar said, China is moving forward and forging new heights of opening-up. They hope that more countries can participate in the Belt and Road Initiative proposed by China to achieve mutually beneficial cooperation and common development.

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