(原文發表於2024年月6日)

Since first arriving in China at the end of 2016, I have been to 31 provinces. Although I have been to some many times, last year completed trip to Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region was the first time I was able to go there.

Prior to coming to China, I had no knowledge of anything to do with Xinjiang. I learned, particularly, about cultural phenomena such as music, dance and food for this trip. I learned some about the ethnic diversity with a great number of Chinese ethnic groups calling Xinjiang their home and about the great love that my students from there have for their home. Additionally, through reading, I learned some about the success of the poverty alleviation program within various communities in Xinjiang.

Before coming to China, I saw a lot of negative information about China on the Internet, particularly related to Xinjiang. Recognizing that misinformation about China was common, I knew that these allegations were not true, but I lacked first-hand exposure to Xinjiang, so I was particularly eager to go there.

Interspersed between other activities we had the opportunity to learn about the diversity of cultures in the area. Through visits to the Kashi Folk Music Instruments Village, Yerqiang River Folk Culture Museum, the Id Kah Mosque, the Twelve Muqam Cultural Inheritance Center, the Dawazi Art Center, and several exhibitions at Kashi University we were exposed to, educated about and/or entertained by singing, dancing, painting, the making of and performance on local, particularly Uyghur instruments.

During our trip we were also able to learn about education in different parts of Kashi. Our first exposure was a kindergarten within one of the development areas which was established as part of the poverty alleviation campaign. We saw clean, well-equipped and organized facilities and spoke with the principal of the school who explained that students have two teachers in the room – one who teaches in Chinese and the other who teaches in Uyghur, exposing all students, Uyghur, Han and others to both languages.

A particularly special feature of the food during our trip was that abundant quantities of local fruit that was found on our tables. Several varieties of melons, different types of fresh grapes, dates, figs, apples, peaches and plums were all fresh and refreshing. Similarly different types of raisins and nuts were also common. Walnuts, cashews, almonds and pine nuts were ever-present.

There is one final point that I would like to speak about. Although I am speaking about it last, frankly, I believe it could easily be placed in first place on my list as it certainly is of great importance. That is the opportunity to see the work done under the unprecedented and highly successful poverty alleviation campaign.

We had the opportunity to visit the home of one local Uyghur family. We were first invited to share tea and fruit and nuts and freshly cooked nang in an outdoor patio. While eating we were able to learn about the significant subsidies that were given to her family and others in her community to build their homes. Looking above our heads we could see a lattice roof covered with grape vines holding many large bunches of green grapes. There were further subsidies for finishing the patio, for building the lattice and for growing the grapes. Touring the house after our snack, we saw a modern 3-bedroom home beautifully decorated with traditional Uyghur carpets and other decorations. I should note that our hostess spoke with great praise about the government’s poverty alleviation measures.

As you can see, our visit was quite busy and exposed us to many people and places and as I said in the beginning, it was both entertaining and educational. To that, I must add that it was also quite inspiring and something that I greatly appreciate the chance to do.

In conclusion, I would welcome the opportunity to visit other places in Xinjiang or other parts of China to be able to spread the truth about what China is doing to improve the lives of its people.