What’s Real About Xinjiang？
看见真实的新疆
Chinese Ambassador to Samoa Chao Xiaoliang
驻萨摩亚大使巢小良
2022年1月18日
18 January 2022
According to a report of CNN Travel, Xinjiang ranks top among the most attractive tourism destinations of Chinese people. Located in the westernmost territory of China, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region is known for its ancient links to the Silk Road trade and Uygur culture, with rich resources and splendid landscapes. The people here are talented singers and dancers, bringing their joys and enthusiasm to travelers all over the world, showing the happy and prosperous life of the local communities.
据统计，新疆在中国最吸引游客的旅游目的地排名中名列前茅。新疆维吾尔自治区地处中国最西端，资源丰富、风景秀丽，拥有古老而灿烂的维吾尔族文明，是著名的丝绸之路重要桥梁。新疆人民热情好客、能歌善舞，为世界各地的旅行者带来热情与欢乐，生动展现了当地人民幸福和繁荣的生活。
Such happiness and harmonies cannot be achieved without the joint efforts of Chinese government and nation to promote the social development and equal rights of all citizens living in Xinjiang. Equality, unity and common prosperity for all ethnic groups is the basic requirements for managing ethnic affairs and handling ethnic relations. The establishment of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region with autonomous prefectures and counties has effectively secured the democratic rights of people to be masters of their own affairs. In the meantime, China has adhered to the principles of human rights and people-centered philosophy and is committed to guaranteeing people’s lives and bringing development opportunities to all ethnic groups, gaining fruitful achievements in various aspects.
新疆人民能拥有如此幸福和谐的生活，离不开中国政府和全国各族人民为促进新疆社会发展和人民权利平等而作出的艰苦努力。中国政府将坚持民族平等、民族团结和各民族共同繁荣发展作为解决民族问题和处理民族关系的基本原则。新疆维吾尔自治区及各地方自治州、自治县的设立更是有力保障了新疆人民当家作主的民主权利，为各族人民带来发展和机遇，取得瞩目成就。
Xinjiang people’s livelihood is improved continuously. China regards the safety and livelihood of the people as its top priority and has spared no efforts in preventing Xinjiang people from terrorism and violence, carrying out preventive counter-terrorism measures including the establishment of vocational education and training centers. By the end of 2016, there has been no terrorist incident in Xinjiang. The infiltration of extremism has been effectively curbed, and the right to life of people of all ethnic groups has been fully protected. Xinjiang now has established a social security system which significantly improved its ability to respond to public health emergencies, provide social assistance, and guarantee the reproductive rights of ethnic minorities. The average life expectancy in Xinjiang has increased from 30 years in 1949 to 74.7 years in 2019. Over the past 40 years, the Uygur population in Xinjiang has doubled from 5.55 million to more than 12 million. From 2010 to 2018, the Uighur population increased by 25%, significantly higher than the 2% increase of the Han population in the same period.
一是公民权利及民生保障不断提升。中国政府将保障人民生命安全和民生发展作为头等大事，全力防止新疆人民遭受恐怖主义和暴力威胁，实施了包括设立职业教育培训中心在内的一系列反恐措施。自2016年底起，新疆再未发生任何恐怖袭击事件，极端主义渗透得到有效遏制，新疆各族人民的生命权得到了充分保障。目前，新疆建立起完备社会保障体系，在应对突发公共卫生事件、提供社会救济、保障少数民族权利等方面能力显着提高。新疆人均寿命从1949年的30岁提高到2019年的74.7岁，人口实现翻一番增长，自555万增加至1200多万。2010年至2018年间，维吾尔族人口增长25%，明显高于同期汉族人口2%的增幅。
Equal rights to economic development are guaranteed. From 1955 to 2020, The GDP of Xinjiang increased from 1.231 billion yuan to 1379.758 billion yuan (about 213.8 billion U.S. dollars), the per capita regional GDP increased from 241 yuan to 53593 yuan, an increase of 160.3 times and 30.3 times respectively. By the end of 2020, all 2.73 million rural poor people in Xinjiang had been lifted out of poverty. The problem of absolute poverty in Xinjiang has been solved historically. Under the Belt and Road Initiative, products from Xinjiang have been exported to 138 countries and regions. From dried fruits to can foods, from traditional Chinese medicine materials to wine and seasoning products, goods made in Xinjiang has gained popularity all over the world.
二是经济发展水平实现飞跃。自1955年至2020年，新疆地区GDP从12.31亿元上涨至13797.58亿元，人均生产总值从241元增加到53593元，分别实现了160.3倍和30.3倍增长。截止至2020年底，新疆273万农村贫困人口全部脱贫，战胜绝对贫困取得历史性胜利。在“一带一路”倡议推动下，新疆农产品“朋友圈”越来越大，目前已远销138个国家和地区。新疆出口农产品种类不断“破圈”，从过去的番茄酱、干果，发展到现在的罐头类、调味品类、中药材类、水产品类、酒类及新鲜水果等多种产品，“新疆生产”已经风靡全球。
The unique cultures here are developed in a respectful manner. Xinjiang attaches great importance to documenting and protecting its excellent traditional ethnic cultures, so as to ensure that they are passed on to succeeding generations. It encourages ethnic groups to learn spoken and written languages from each other, and takes solid measures to ensure the right to education. At present, more than 10 languages and characters are widely used in the fields of justice, administration, education, press and publication and public affairs. The cultural traditions of all ethnic groups are also under well protection. Folk cultural events like the Han Lantern Festival and the Uygur Meshrep are widely celebrated. Competitions and events involving wrestling, horse racing, archery are held on traditional holidays and enjoyed by people from all ethnic groups. The local government has supported the creation of works of ethnic literature and the translation of literature between Han and ethnic minority languages, expanding cultural exchanges and integration among the ethnic groups.
三是民族文化及地区文明得到全面发展。新疆高度重视各民族优秀传统文化的挖掘、传承和保护，不断提升公共文化服务水平，大力推广使用国家通用语言文字，鼓励各民族相互学习语言文字，切实保障公民受教育权。目前，新疆各民族使用10余种语言和文字，少数民族语言文字在司法、行政、教育、新闻出版、广播电视、文学艺术、社会公共事务等领域得到广泛使用。民间文化活动如元宵节、维吾尔族米什雷普等得到广泛庆祝，各民族特色传统体育如摔跤、赛马、射箭、达瓦孜等得到长足发展。新疆当地政府并积极支持各民族文学作品的创作及民汉文学作品互译工程，增强了各民族之间的文化交流和融合。
Religious freedom and harmony is fully protected. Respect for and protection of freedom of religious belief is a basic and long-term national policy of the Chinese government. Xinjiang fully applies the policy, protects legitimate religious activities and ensures the public’s freedom of religious belief in accordance with law. Lawful religious practices like attending religious services, worshipping Buddha, attending Mass, praying are managed by religious groups and the believers themselves with no external interference. Xinjiang now has 24800 mosques, churches, monasteries, Taoist temples and other places for religious activities, including 24400 mosques, 59 Buddhist temples and 227 Christian churches. People of different faiths conduct normal religious activities in places of religious activities and at home, and citizens’ right to freedom of religious belief is effectively secured.
四是宗教信仰自由得到充分保护。尊重和保护宗教信仰自由是中国政府一项长期的基本国策。新疆地区政府依法保障人民宗教信仰自由权利，公民的正常宗教活动，如礼拜、拜佛、弥撒、祈祷、诵经等，都由宗教团体和公民自理，受法律保护，任何组织和个人不得加以干涉。宗教活动场所依法受到保护和维护，喀什艾提尕尔清真寺、昭苏圣佑庙等宗教场所已被列入国家和新疆文物保护单位，由政府拨专款进行场馆修缮、条件改善，为信教群众提供了极大便利。
As an old saying goes, “Seeing is believing”. By now, more than 1,200 diplomats, journalists and representatives of religious groups from more than 100 countries have visited Xinjiang. They have been amazed by great changes and the accomplishments Xinjiang people has made, and have full faith of Xinjiang’s development to better future. I welcome Samoan friends to pay a visit to this beautiful place. After the pandemic, you’ll for sure see a prosperous, harmonious and peaceful Xinjiang with far potentials.
古语有云，“耳听为虚，眼见为实”。目前，已有100多个国家的1200多名外交官、记者和宗教团体代表访问新疆。他们对新疆发生的巨大变化和取得的成就感到惊叹，对新疆美好未来充满信心。欢迎各位萨摩亚朋友在疫情过后来新疆旅游，相信你们一定会看到一个繁荣、和谐、和平、潜力无限的美丽新疆。