Foreign diplomats impressed by progress made in Xinjiang(2)

Special: Xinjiang

Diversity protected

Campbell said he also witnessed the support given to religious sites in Xinjiang, which is home to many ethnic groups.

He said it is crucial to consider all the ethnic groups in a multi-ethnic country, as this contributes to the nation's prosperity and creativity. "This is something that we can see here," he added.

During a visit to the Xinjiang Islamic Institute in Urumqi, the envoys had in-depth exchanges with Abdureqip Tomurniyaz, president of the institute, learning about the students' curriculum and daily routines.

Ijaz Ahmad, minister at the Pakistani embassy in China, was drawn to the Uygur version of local newspaper Xinjiang Daily when he visited a reading room at the institute.

"We were really impressed with this institute, and it shows the remarkable efforts of the Chinese government (in terms of) how to preserve the culture, language and religious beliefs of the local people," he said.

Erika Lizardo, minister-counselor at the Peruvian embassy in China, was greatly impressed by efforts to preserve the Kizil Grottoes, one of the earliest large-scale Buddhist grotto sites in the country, and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

She praised China for embracing its diverse regions and the importance it places on preserving cultural heritage.

Arlindo Do Rosario, the Cape Verdean ambassador to China, said the trip to Xinjiang allowed him to witness the region's remarkable progress across various sectors.

He hailed the Chinese authorities' efforts to promote the well-being of the region's different ethnic groups.

"In addition, the interactions I had with local representatives and communities gave me a better understanding of the development policies implemented in the region, especially those aimed at respecting ethnic and cultural diversity," he added.

Evidence lacking

The diplomats said that during the trip they found narratives made by the United States and European countries about Xinjiang were complete fabrications used to contain China's development.

Martin Charles, Dominica's ambassador to China, said he had not seen any evidence to support the claims made by Western media about Xinjiang, including so-called human rights violations.

"They say when you see, you believe, and those of us who have come here have an opportunity to say to Western media that what you have been reporting is not true," he said.

"I have not seen anyone being forced to do labor or other tasks. Instead, I've seen happy residents. Some countries are probably using (the untruths) as an attempt to contain China's rise."

Charles, who joined the trip despite a tight schedule, said that people in Xinjiang enjoy access to education, housing and potable drinking water as a basic human right.

"It seems to me that China is looking after its people. The rest of the world needs to look at how to develop people and empower people so that you can have a healthy, happy society," he said.

Luamanuvae A. Mariner, the Samoan ambassador to China, said the diplomats were encouraged by efforts made by the authorities in Xinjiang, especially for the Uygur population.

He suggested that whoever is criticizing China should visit Xinjiang. "What's important is that they come, see and experience, meet the people, talk to the people, experience the culture, experience the environment. That's something completely different from what you read about in Western media," he said.

After viewing an exhibition in Urumqi on Xinjiang's efforts to combat terrorism and extremism, Kaba Ibrahim Sinkoun, first secretary at Guinea's embassy in China and also a Muslim, said that most countries, including Muslim nations, have expressed support for China's anti-terrorism efforts when voting in the UN.

"Because the first human right is to live in security, China has to deliver basic security for all its citizens, like all other countries," he said.

Campbell, the Nicaraguan ambassador, said some Western media outlets are seeking to undermine and even misinterpret the efforts made by China against terrorism and extremism.

"No country in the world can accept terrorism and extremism within its borders. This is China's right," he said.