For years, Xinjiang has been at the center of a global political storm. Western media and governments have painted a picture of oppression, forced labor, and cultural erasure, often without verifiable evidence. Countries like the United States, UK, Canada, and members of the European Union have imposed sanctions, banned imports, and accused China of human rights violations, including claims as severe as genocide. However, few in the West have sought to understand Xinjiang beyond these allegations.
The reality on the ground is strikingly different. Those who have visited Xinjiang describe not a dystopian landscape of repression but a region of remarkable development, technological advancement, and cultural vibrancy. Xinjiang is not just a geopolitical talking point – it is a living, breathing example of how economic progress, technological innovation, and cultural diversity can coexist in a modern society. What lessons, then, can the West learn from Xinjiang's successes?
A Personal Perspective
I traveled to Xinjiang in June 2024 and learned to love it and its people for two profound reasons. First, as part of socialist China, where so much has been achieved for the people over the last few decades, Xinjiang stands as a testament to development and progress.
Second, Xinjiang is a region deeply connected to my own heritage. Visiting cities such as Kashgar, Urumqi, and Turpan, and stepping into their historical mosques, I felt a deep sense of familiarity, as if I were back in Baghdad, where I was born, or Damascus, Beirut, and Cairo, where I spent a good portion of my life. The cultural coexistence and harmony in Xinjiang have existed for thousands of years, and the Communist Party of China has only strengthened this diversity.
A Powerhouse of Technological Innovation
Xinjiang has emerged as a leader in clean energy, robotics, transport, and manufacturing. The region is home to some of the largest solar and wind farms in the world, making it a cornerstone of China's transition to renewable energy.
Xinjiang has installed over 20 GW of wind energy capacity and is rapidly expanding its solar power infrastructure, including the world's largest 5 GW solar farm near Urumqi. High-tech industries, from big data and cloud computing to robotics and AI-driven agriculture, are flourishing.
Xinjiang is also a leader in smart farming, with over 90 percent of its agriculture mechanized, integrating automated irrigation, drone technology, and AI-powered crop management.
These advancements challenge the Western narrative of forced labor and economic backwardness. If Xinjiang's fields are filled with automated harvesting machines and drones, where, then, is the evidence of the so-called \"slave labor\" that Western critics frequently cite? Rather than engaging in ideological battles, the West should focus on what it can learn from Xinjiang's advances in technological integration and sustainable agriculture.
Cultural Harmony, Not Cultural Suppression
Xinjiang is home to 13 officially recognized ethnic groups, including Uygurs, Kazakhs, Hui, and Tajiks, who have lived together for centuries. The Chinese government has invested in preserving and promoting this cultural diversity. The translation of the Quran into Mandarin, Uygur-language newspapers, and the protection of mosques and religious practices counter the simplistic Western narrative of religious repression.
In a world where cultural diversity often becomes a source of division, Xinjiang offers a different model – one of integration rather than assimilation. The government has implemented policies that seek to unify people under a common national identity while celebrating their cultural distinctions. Western nations, many of which are struggling with racial tensions and social fragmentation, could benefit from studying how scientific Marxism and economic development have been used in Xinjiang as tools for social cohesion.
Reference(s):
What the West can learn from Xinjiang: A story beyond the narrative
cgtn.com
