Daily Times

Over the years, to build Xinjiang into a beautiful and rich homeland for people in the western region, the Chinese government had adopted the most preferential policies.

“Xinjiang, what a wonderful land!” is the name of a famous song that my Uyghur classmates often sang when I was studying in Beijing.

I had been deeply attracted by the beautiful melody with strong characteristics of Islamic nations and longing for the mystery and beauty of Xinjiang.

However, during my five-year study in China, I had never had an appropriate opportunity to take a glance at real Sinkiang. At the same time, the Xinjiang we learned from the media had always been related to words like “violence” and “terror.”

This made me confused and firmed my thoughts to go and know the real Xinjiang myself.

Last March, I was lucky to get to the place I had been longing for. China and Pakistan are neighbours linked by Karakoram Highway built with the aid of China in the last century. Thus, in the hearts of the peoples, the Karakoram Highway has become the friendship highway between Pakistan and China. I am also called, ” Batie” by many Chinese friends here.

When I was in Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang, I found the infrastructures to be beyond my imagination. The beauty and prosperity of Urumqi attracted tourists from all over the world. There were all elements of an international metropolis.

Having the head of a Chinese company as my guide, who intended to cooperate with me, I paid visits to a few major attractions downtown. “Grand Bazaar,” which I had heard about before, was a must-see trade zone with national characteristics.

There were a wide variety of goods, especially all kinds of snacks and daily necessities with Uyghur ethnic characteristics, which were very similar to Pakistan goods. These goods with ethnic characteristics also attracted people of all nationalities in China and tourists of different skin colours from all over the world. A Uighur friend pointed to rows of beautifully carved copper bottles in a shop and told me, “Our copper bottle is very similar to your Pakistani craftsmanship. Many people can’t tell whether it is made by our Xinjiang craftsmen or produced in Pakistan.”

I was particularly excited that the art and culture of my hometown could also take root in another country. At noon, my friends and I squeezed into a Uighur small restaurant in Urumqi. The restaurant owner treated us with a variety of Xinjiang specialities. When he heard I was from Pakistan, he gave me a thumbs-up happily and enthusiastically called me “Batie.”

When I was in Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang, I found the infrastructures to be beyond my imagination. The beauty and prosperity of Urumqi attracted tourists from all over the world. There were all elements of an international metropolis

The customers in the restaurant were also infected by the harmonious atmosphere and talked with the owner. I asked the restaurant owner about the living situation. He told me that his economic situation was getting better and better, and the business of his restaurant was very hot. Even his son, who was an ignoramus troublemaker in the past, had also learned techniques and skills at the teaching and training centre, and come back home. His son had become a master of cooking and the backbone of their family. The owner pointed to the Xinjiang speciality pasta on the table and said proudly: “This is his craft. How do you taste it?”

I remembered that when I had been studying in Beijing, I had heard there were much violence and terrorism in Xinjiang. Yet, seeing the scene of various ethnic groups living in harmony, I couldn’t believe this was the reality.

Our Uighur companion told me proudly: “There hasn’t been any terrorism in 30 months. The autonomous regional government has helped us to build vocational and technical training schools for the Uighur people. If you are lacking of knowledge and life skills, you can study in the school. This is also our government’s long-term construction project in Xinjiang.”

I have seen some Western media report on training institutions that teach people living and production skills as violations of human rights. This is totally different from what I saw and heard in Xinjiang. There is an old saying in China that words are but wind, but seeing is believing.

Everything I witnessed with my own eyes, especially the local Uyghur people’s comments on the teaching and training centres, was the most convincing truth. Chinese friends told me that over the years, in order to build Xinjiang into a beautiful and rich homeland for people in the western region, the Chinese government had adopted the most preferential policies for Xinjiang. They had actively carried out vocational skills training, which had gained obvious effects. To unite and stabilise Xinjiang in a long-term construction process had become an important job of governance according to law.

In particular, they had provided working places for the Muslim and helped them acquire skills, thus, significantly increasing the Muslim family’s income. This had provided with a new path for all ethnic groups to live in harmony.

While spending just a few days in Xinjiang, I was particularly touched by the warm reception of my friends from Xinjiang.

Xinjiang is very nice, and the people of Xinjiang are much nicer. On the day I returned to Pakistan, I suddenly recalled the song “Xinjiang, what a wonderful land,” when I was reluctantly bidding farewell to my friends. I had personally experienced the beauty and richness of Xinjiang and fallen in love with this ancient land, which is full of modern vigour simultaneously. If I ever have a chance, I will go there again to enjoy the exotic scenery and visit my enthusiastic Uighur friends.

The writer is a freelancer