Foreign Media Talk about Journey to Xinjiang: Integrating Tradition and Modernity
Urumqi, September 20th, China News Agency (Xinhua) - Foreign media talk about a trip to Xinjiang: balancing tradition and modernity
China News Agency reporter Yang Chengchen and Zhao Yamin
The first stop of over 20 foreign media personnel arriving in Kashgar is a memorial hall about the famous old city of Kashgar, which records the past and changes of the ancient city. Due to Tajikistan's proximity to Kashgar, photographer Abdulkahorov Usmon from the country was deeply touched by the great changes in the ancient city.
"The narrow streets where sewage flowed in the past have been upgraded to wide and modern street views, and I am happy for the lives of the local people now." Usmon said, "I have heard some friends who have come to Xinjiang talk about this place before, but my own perception is better than what I heard or imagined."
On September 18th, local children dancing at the kindergarten in Village 14, Naizheerbag Town, Kashgar City invited foreign guests to join. Photo by Yang Chengchen, journalist from China News Agency
The recent themed interview on "Entering the Core Area of the Silk Road Economic Belt" invited Chinese and foreign journalists to delve into Xinjiang, and the interview points related to cultural protection during the itinerary received special attention from the media.
The renovation of the old urban area also left a deep impression on Sakara Suria, the commercial editor of the Sri Lankan Daily Mirror. He told a reporter from China News Agency that compared to the stories of southern Xinjiang reported by some Western media, what I see is the construction and development of Kashgar. Taking the old city renovation as an example, after the government invested a large amount of funds, the living environment here has been significantly improved, modern facilities are readily available, and the unique culture of the local residents has been well preserved.
Whether it's watching the Maixilaifu dance performance in Turpan Grape Valley or appreciating the performance of ethnic minority instruments in Shufu County, Kashgar, Ali Mohammad Gamdi, cultural affairs consultant of Okaz Daily, is extremely enthusiastic about the unique culture of Xinjiang. He told reporters that through these artistic activities, one can understand the living conditions of local people and also see the efforts made by the Chinese government in protecting the traditional culture of ethnic minorities.
On September 19th, a group of foreign media members watched actor rehearsals at the Xinjiang Muqam Theater located in Urumqi. Photo by Yang Chengchen, journalist from China News Agency
"Those who are pure are self righteous. Some facts are not enough for us to just listen to what others say." After visiting multiple mosques, Islamic scripture schools, and interacting with multiple imams and religious believers, this senior media figure from Saudi Arabia is convinced: "When I see and hear with my own eyes, I think the condition of the mosque here is very good, and people of different faiths live together in harmony."
Coming to Ili in western Xinjiang, visiting the sky blue Kazan folk tourism area and the ancient Ili General's Mansion, Zheng Quanzhi, a Thai journalist from the "Manager" newspaper who had studied abroad in Shanghai and was proficient in Chinese, couldn't help but marvel at China's vast territory and abundant resources. "Even though my parents come from Chaozhou and I have a long learning experience in China, after coming to Xinjiang, I am once again amazed by the richness of Chinese history and culture."
He said that Xinjiang is a place where multiple ethnic groups live together harmoniously. "I hope to introduce Xinjiang to Thai people, so that more domestic tourists have the opportunity to come here and take a walk."
"I am surprised by everything I see here," said Judanisi Karabrosso, a journalist from SMNI Television in the Philippines. "I have seen that China has well preserved the historical relics and relics of Xinjiang, and I also feel the achievements of the anti-terrorism and de radicalization struggle here over the years.".
On September 17th, foreign media visited the Aitigar Mosque in Kashgar under the introduction of Imam Maimaiti Juma. Photo by Yang Chengchen, journalist from China News Agency
In China, Russian TASS editor Maxim Cherevik saw Xinjiang, which is vastly different from Western media reports, where people of different ethnicities live on the same street and in the same village. The local government not only helps solve employment and agricultural product sales issues, but also vigorously protects ethnic minority cultural characteristics. "A few days' itinerary does not allow me to see the full picture of Xinjiang, and I also look forward to the opportunity to see more. I believe I can learn more about the true stories of Xinjiang."
