Is visiting Xinjiang to promote China? Japanese member: Why do people who have never been here question what I have seen with my own eyes? Japan | Xinjiang | Promotion
On the 22nd, a Japanese civilian visit to Xinjiang organized by the Chinese Consulate General in Osaka left Turpan and arrived in Korla. Halfway through the itinerary, several members of the visiting Xinjiang delegation shared their feelings about this trip with reporters from the Global Times. They all expressed that the real Xinjiang is very different from the Xinjiang they saw in Japanese media before. As long as they put aside their prejudice, come to Xinjiang to enjoy the beautiful scenery, taste the food, and dance with the enthusiastic people, they can personally experience the unique charm of this land.
A good life is hard won
The first batch of 20 members of the Xinjiang visiting delegation visited Xinjiang for 8 nights and 9 days from June 19th to 27th, visiting Urumqi, Turpan, Korla, Kuche, and Kashgar, spanning the southern and northern regions of Xinjiang. The content covered a wide range of topics, and some itinerary designs were beyond imagination. One of them was the "Xinjiang Anti Terrorism and Depolar Struggle Theme Exhibition".
Sen Gaolong, 66 years old this year, enjoys traveling and photography, and has traveled to Hainan, Jiangxi, Hubei and other places in China. "Xinjiang is a paradise for travel photography enthusiasts, and I have always longed to go to Xinjiang. After seeing descriptions from Japanese media, I still hold the idea of 'no matter how dangerous it is'." Sen Gaolong said in an interview with Global Times reporters, "I didn't expect to come here and find it very safe! Japanese media reports on Xinjiang are relatively one-sided, giving people the illusion that' Xinjiang is very dangerous', but in fact, it is completely different."
In the morning, on the square in Urumqi, some people practiced Tai Chi, some danced swords, and some danced square dances... The morning activities were colorful, and Sen Gao couldn't help but join in, kicking shuttlecocks with local residents. "I like to shoot and observe people's facial expressions, which are a true reflection of their inner selves. If a person feels anxious and uneasy, it will definitely be reflected on their face." Sen Gaolong just picked up the camera and showed his photography works to a reporter from the Global Times. "You see, their faces are filled with happy smiles, I believe their lives are happy and fulfilling now."
Sen Gaolong was not very familiar with the violent terrorist incidents that occurred in Xinjiang before, and when visiting the "Anti Terrorism Exhibition", he kept thinking, "How could such a terrible event happen?"? He told reporters that there have also been incidents of indiscriminate violence in Japan. Regardless of which country, what ordinary people want is nothing more than a safe and reassuring daily life, and violent incidents cannot be allowed.
"The exhibition showcases the local people's experiences in fighting terrorism, but I don't remember Japanese media reporting on terrorist incidents on a large scale before." After visiting the "Counter Terrorism Exhibition," member of the Xinjiang delegation, Jingzhang Miyagawa, tweeted, "These contents are not fake or exaggerated.". He exclaimed to a reporter from the Global Times, "From the dark experiences of the past to the lively scenes I have witnessed with my own eyes, the peaceful and beautiful lives of the people of Xinjiang are truly hard won."
Are Xinjiang watermelons also sensitive to sun drying?
It is worth mentioning that the information release for this trip to Xinjiang broke the norm and was mainly carried out by members of the visiting delegation through self media for online live streaming. Multiple members shared their experiences in real time, and 33 year old Meimei Watanabe was one of them. Starting from the beginning, Meimei Watanabe has released videos and pictures of lamb skewers, Flame Mountain, Loulan female corpse, Tianchi, Karez, and other places, sometimes talking about her own feelings, and almost "live streaming" all the movements of her journey on social media.
Meimei Watanabe is a skiing coach from Baima Village, Nagano Prefecture. She has visited Yunnan, Henan, Beijing and other places, and this is her seventh time in China. During an interview with Global Times reporters, Meimei Watanabe said that before the epidemic, Chinese Consul General Xue Jian in Osaka had engaged in heated debates with some Japanese netizens on Twitter regarding Xinjiang issues, which caught her attention. When she learned that the Osaka Consulate General was recruiting Japanese citizens to visit Xinjiang, she immediately registered to participate.
Upon seeing the videos and pictures released by Meimei Watanabe, some Japanese netizens expressed envy for her ability to visit Xinjiang, but others questioned whether she was promoting the Chinese government. Regarding this, Meimei Watanabe stated that she was only sharing what she had seen and heard along the way, and some netizens may not necessarily have accurate information learned from the media, as those reports may themselves be biased. In fact, the cost of this visit to Xinjiang will be borne by the participants themselves.
"There is a saying in both Japan and China that goes, 'It's better to see than to hear a hundred things.' I share my observations and experiences in Xinjiang on social media, but some netizens haven't been there in person. Why deny what I have seen with their own thoughts?" Meimei Watanabe told Global Times reporters that some Japanese netizens pay attention to the situation of ethnic minorities in China, but their opinions must be based on facts.
One of the members of the Xinjiang delegation, Murata Chengji, has over 6600 followers on Twitter and keeps track of his travel experiences at any time. A Global Times reporter found that multiple pieces of information published by Masaki Murata were folded on Twitter under the pretext of "possibly containing sensitive content.". These folded contents include, during lunch at a Uyghur family in Turpan, the male host showcasing freshly cut large watermelons to Japanese guests; This also includes the scenery on both sides of the highway captured through the car window during the journey.
Regarding concerns about the possibility of questioning or even attacking the content released by members of the Xinjiang delegation through self media, Chinese Consul General Xue Jian admitted to Global Times reporters, "There are indeed some concerns." But the reason we dare to do so is because China has such confidence! With such confidence! Now China can open its doors to anyone to see. "However, based on the experiences of some members of the Xinjiang delegation, this confidence and confidence are clearly not present in everyone.
Go to Xinjiang! Dance a song with the passionate public
According to Global Times reporters, the visit to Xinjiang took about a year and a half from preparation to completion. It was the first Japanese civil society group to visit Xinjiang after the epidemic, and also the first time that Chinese embassies and consulates abroad organized local people to visit Xinjiang. The members are all visiting Xinjiang for the first time, and many of them are coming to China for the first time. They have different ages and experiences, but in conversations with reporters, they all express strong emotions towards Xinjiang.
83 year old Yamashita Yoshimasa is the oldest member of the Xinjiang delegation, and his busy schedule and the 42 degree heat in Turpan have made him even more excited. This is the seventh time that Mr. and Mrs. Shan have come to China. They have visited places such as Lhasa, Dunhuang, and Lijiang. "The unique customs and traditions of Xinjiang have made many Japanese people, including myself, yearn for it. When a friend invited me to join the visiting Xinjiang delegation, I immediately agreed."
Yoji Yamashita has a special way to continue the joy of his trip to Xinjiang. Before departure, conduct a preliminary understanding of the places arranged in the itinerary such as Tianchi and Karez; During the journey, record the key points explained by the tour guide, take pictures and videos; After returning home, compile a comprehensive "Xinjiang memory" of your own.
"I have always been looking forward to seeing Xinjiang as the first stop of my overseas trip, and now my dream has come true!" Keishi Zeda, the chairman of "Happiness", a 42 year old non-profit organization, told Global Times reporters on the streets of Urumqi. "I live in rural Japan, Urumqi is very beautiful and lively."
Keishi Zeda's son, Ri Zeda, is 11 years old and the youngest member of the Xinjiang Visiting Corps. Keishi Zeda explained that media reports on Xinjiang lack factual basis and can easily create negative impressions. Take your son on a trip and let him see Xinjiang with his own eyes and get to know the local people firsthand, in order to get to know the real Xinjiang. Through this trip to Xinjiang, I also want to let my son know that he should not be influenced by others and should have his own thinking and judgment on everything.
Zetian Li told reporters that in order to participate in this visit to Xinjiang, he requested a 10 day leave from the school. One day in advance, he and his father set out from Takamatsu City, Kochi County, his hometown, to Osaka to join the large forces and set off on a journey to Xinjiang together. Zetian Li had a mobile phone hanging around his neck, walking and patting along the way, saying he wanted to show it to his classmates when he went back.
Junzo Sugiyama, 75, worked in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, China Province, China from 1982 to 1991, and was sent to Shanghai from 2008 to 2012. Although I have lived in China for a long time, coming to Xinjiang is still my first time. The journey from Xi'an to Dunhuang left a deep impression on him. This visit to Xinjiang seems to have retraced the ancient Silk Road, giving him a feeling of crossing time and space.
In the interview, Junzo Sugiyama also talked about the "the Belt and Road" initiative. He told the Global Times that the "the Belt and Road" initiative is very great and provides development opportunities for countries along the line. He also said that he hopes that some people can let go of their prejudices and come to Xinjiang to personally appreciate the magnificent scenery, taste the delicious food, and then dance with the enthusiastic people, experiencing the unique charm of this land firsthand.
