Global media think tank delegation tours Xinjiang-TIANSHANNET-天山网

Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily (Reporter Si Lulu) news: A delegation of media, think tank, and scholar representatives from 11 countries visited northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region from June 26 to 30 for an immersive tour, crossing mountains and seas to gain new knowledge and explore the beauty of the region. The group, which included 20 journalists, university scholars, and think tank experts from countries such as Germany, Poland, Slovakia, Türkiye, Pakistan, and Uzbekistan, traveled to several locations in Urumqi and Ili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture. During their visit, they observed Xinjiang's development firsthand, experienced the warmth of its communities, appreciated its cultural richness, and gained a true understanding of the region's stability, prosperity, openness, and inclusiveness in the new era.

The delegation of media, think tank, and scholar representatives from 11 countries pose for a group photo at a themed exhibition in celebration of the 70th founding anniversary of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo by Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily/ Si Lulu)

In Urumqi, the delegation visited the Xinjiang Islamic Institute and the Wan Tongshu and Twelve Muqam Exhibition Hall at the Xinjiang Arts Institute. At the Islamic institute, they learned about its educational philosophy, curriculum, and daily operations. The clean and orderly campus, along with the well-established teaching system, reflected the positive environment of religious harmony and standardized education in Xinjiang. At the arts institute, the delegation enjoyed performances by faculty and students, witnessing the vitality of intangible cultural heritage and the thriving diversity of the arts in the region.

Polish YouTuber Wojciech Bartolomiej Szewko said that only by visiting Xinjiang in person could he truly appreciate its unique charm. He noted that descriptions in books and online fall short of the real experience, and the region's magnificent landscapes, rich folk traditions, and the confident and happy lives of its people provided him with abundant authentic material for his work. He plans to share his daily experiences through overseas new media platforms, offering international audiences a genuine look at Xinjiang.

At the themed exhibition in celebration of the 70th founding anniversary of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and a thematic exhibition on Xinjiang's fight against terrorism and extremism, the delegation learned about Xinjiang's development and governance over the years. Through photographs, case studies, and data, they gained insight into the region's measures to balance security and development, maintain social order, and protect people's welfare, and they came to appreciate the hard-won stability and peace in Xinjiang.

Eduard Burda, Dean of the Faculty of Law at Comenius University in Slovakia, expressed strong interest in these efforts. He said that Xinjiang has pursued a path of high-quality development suited to its local conditions and beneficial to all ethnic groups, using the rule of law to support social stability and improve governance. He believes this experience offers valuable lessons for other regions and expressed hope for stronger academic exchanges and cooperation between Slovakia and China in legal studies and governance.

The delegation of media, think tank, and scholar representatives from 11 countries visits the themed exhibition in celebration of the 70th founding anniversary of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo by Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily/ Si Lulu)

The delegation also visited the Xinjiang International Convention and Exhibition Center, the main venue of the 9th China-Eurasia Expo, CRCC Xinjiang Co., Ltd., the regional museum, and the Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar. These visits, which covered the Expo's role as an opening-up platform, the capabilities of high-end manufacturing, the legacy of the Silk Road, and the vibrant commercial life of the city, gave the delegation a comprehensive view of Xinjiang's industrial progress, its growing openness, and its energetic urban development.

Eager to learn about grassroots development, opening-up, and industrial growth in Xinjiang, the delegation traveled to Ili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture. In Qapqal Xibe Autonomous County, they visited the Xibe Ancient City and the Saixi Lake, where they observed the living preservation of ethnic minority culture and the benefits of cultural tourism for local residents. Li Yao, a Senior Research Fellow at the National University of Singapore's East Asian Institute, remarked that the region's urban modernization is impressive, and what stands out even more is the harmonious coexistence of multiple ethnic groups, creating a vibrant and distinctive multicultural atmosphere. The group then went to the sixth-generation national gate of Horgos and the China-Kazakstan Horgos International Border Cooperation Center, where they saw the thriving connectivity and cross-border trade in the area.

Polish YouTuber Wojciech Bartolomiej Szewko takes photos at Horgos in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, June 28, 2026. (Photo by Yong Chengfan)

　The delegation also visited the Jieyou Princess Lavender Manor in Huocheng County and the Ili Fengcao Pasture Dairy Co., Ltd., learning about the development of local agriculture, animal husbandry, light industry, and green industries. They saw how these specialized industries are helping to revitalize rural areas and increase incomes for local people. Walking through the Kazanqi Folk Tourism Area and the Liuxing Street in Yining City, they observed ancient streets alongside modern homes, with people of all ethnicities living together peacefully, illustrating the warmth of social harmony and the well-being of Xinjiang's communities.

　Julian Mordarski, editor-in-chief of Polish newspaper Trybuna, said that seeing Xinjiang in person changed his previous perceptions. He noted that the visit gave him a true sense of the region's dynamic urban and rural development, the vitality of its industries, and the optimistic spirit of its people. He intends to share his experiences through his media platform, helping overseas readers gain a new understanding of Xinjiang as a prosperous, beautiful, open, and inclusive place.

After five days of immersive visits and discussions, the delegation came away with a multidimensional understanding of Xinjiang, covering its culture, governance, industry, openness, and people's livelihoods.

Hans van Essie, head of the Sinology Department at the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich in Germany, has long studied China and visited many parts of the country. During this trip, he was able to verify and update his knowledge through direct observation.

Hans van Essie said that although he has studied China for many years, only by visiting Xinjiang could he form a complete and fresh understanding. He acknowledged that his previous knowledge of the region came mainly from written sources and was therefore limited. Going forward, he plans to use his expertise in Sinology to serve as a bridge for exchange, sharing his observations from this trip with overseas scholars and the public, and contributing to cultural exchanges and multilateral cooperation between Germany and China, while encouraging more people to understand the real, multi-dimensional and comprehensive Xinjiang.

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Global media & think tank delegation tours Xinjiang