Guest Opinion: Journey by way of Xinjiang – unveiling the reality

In actuality, Xinjiang’s improvement stems from the Chinese authorities’s insurance policies that target enhancing infrastructure, accelerating financial progress, spiritual freedom, and training and coaching for ethnic minorities.

On my technique to go to Emin County in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, I used to be captivated by the breathtaking panorama. Lush greenery stretched throughout Xinjiang, with bushes providing a soothing sense of consolation. The fruit bushes lining the roadsides made me want by no means to go away, due to the great thing about nature, the purity of the air, and the fantastic environment.

TRUTH-SEEKING TRIP

The journey started with a visit to Chengdu in southwest China’s Sichuan Province, the place I joined an Arab media delegation for the 2024 Media Cooperation Forum on Belt and Road. I used to be notably excited concerning the likelihood to go to Xinjiang and see the reality behind Western media studies concerning the Uygur folks.

What I witnessed there was fully completely different from what I had imagined and browse in studies by Western media. From the second we arrived within the previous metropolis of Kashgar, we have been showered with welcome and hospitality. I had even deliberate to go on a weight-reduction plan throughout my go to to China, however the generosity of the residents, their scrumptious delicacies, and the irresistible odor of kebabs in every single place made it unattainable.

When we visited Kashgar, I felt like I used to be dwelling within the scenes of “One Thousand and One Nights.” I imagined Sindbad peeking at us from the balconies of the homes and Aladdin operating beside us, fleeing from Jafar’s troopers. The enjoyment elevated with our go to to a well-liked cafe the place we loved conventional songs and dances.

We visited the Comprehensive Management Memorial Hall for the Protection of the Old Town of Kashgar and discovered concerning the dwelling circumstances of the Uygur folks previously, when many lived in previous, rundown homes that provided little safety from snow and rain. The authorities developed the world into a contemporary metropolis, preserving the standard architectural model whereas considerably bettering dwelling circumstances.

We additionally paid a go to to the Id Kah Mosque and met the imam, who defined how the federal government renovated and maintained it, the way it welcomes Muslims from world wide, and the way it sends delegations to Egypt’s Al-Azhar to check Islam.

SECRETS TO GREAT CHANGES

During our journey, we found the explanations for the considerable and completely happy lifetime of the folks in Xinjiang. We visited an animal breeding firm, a safflower oil enterprise, and an agricultural firm using superior methods to pay attention UV rays on vegetation, lowering cultivation time and boosting yields.

Companies in Xinjiang are actively working to enhance dwelling circumstances for locals by creating job alternatives. By investing in fashionable agricultural and industrial tasks, they generate hundreds of jobs for residents. This method not solely enhances manufacturing effectivity but in addition presents useful coaching and employment for the local people.

During our go to to the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Museum in Urumqi, we have been impressed by the reveals detailing the federal government’s improvement plans for the area. The focus was on enhancing dwelling requirements and financial progress, with specific consideration to ethnic minorities.

These plans embody the event of infrastructure by way of the development and growth of highway networks, railways, and airports, facilitating mobility and enhancing commerce. Additionally, healthcare and academic services have been improved, and new housing has been offered. To gear up progress, particular financial zones and free commerce areas have been established to draw international and native investments, alongside the modernization of the agriculture and business sectors with state-of-the-art applied sciences.

Many cultural and non secular websites have been restored and renovated to protect the area’s heritage whereas selling cultural tourism. These efforts haven’t solely enhanced the panorama and improved dwelling circumstances but in addition stimulated financial improvement and preserved cultural and non secular websites within the area.

SOLID NUMBERS

The vital financial progress in recent times Xinjiang has achieved are evident in charts. Data from Urumqi Customs confirmed that the area’s complete import and export quantity within the January-August interval reached 285.32 billion yuan (40.55 billion U.S. {dollars})

Xinjiang’s commerce with international locations collaborating within the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) rose by 28 p.c 12 months on 12 months, accounting for 92.5 p.c of the area’s complete international commerce within the first eight months.

Besides, fashionable agricultural expertise has helped the area change into an vital agricultural manufacturing base in China. Xinjiang contributed greater than 90 p.c of China’s cotton output in 2023, harvesting a complete of 5.12 million tonnes of cotton.

Before my journey, I typically learn false claims in Western media about Xinjiang, similar to tightening spiritual restrictions on the Uygurs, so-called “forced labor,” and the area being closed off to the surface world. However, what I witnessed firsthand proved the alternative.

In actuality, Xinjiang’s improvement stems from the Chinese authorities’s insurance policies that target enhancing infrastructure, accelerating financial progress, spiritual freedom, and training and coaching for ethnic minorities.

Additionally, the BRI, a improvement initiative of world historic and financial significance helps join Xinjiang to locations internationally and increase its improvement by bettering transport infrastructure, attracting investments, and enhancing worldwide cooperation. These synchronized measures contribute to creating an enriched fashionable life for folks in Xinjiang and promote understanding and concord amongst completely different ethnicities and cultures.

Editor’s be aware: Fady Philip Nathan is the Cairo workplace supervisor of Al-Arab Kuwaiti digital newspaper.

The views expressed on this article are these of the creator’s and don’t essentially replicate these of Xinhua News Agency.