（来源：《天山网》 2025-11-14）
Having lived and worked in China for more than a quarter of a century, I have had the privilege of visiting many parts of this vast and fascinating country. My professional life has centered on news translation and the translation of classic Chinese literary works, allowing me to observe, up close, the daily lives of ordinary Chinese people. Yet, among all my travels, two recent visits to the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region—in July and November of 2025—left an especially deep and lasting impression on me. The facts I witnessed there speak for themselves.
A Nation Living in the Future
Modern China is a nation that has, in many ways, already entered the future. In this digital age, everyday life has become extraordinarily convenient: most transactions are cashless, transportation systems are clean and efficient, and public infrastructure—from roads and railways to airports and communication networks—is among the best in the world. Xinjiang, as a vital region linking China to Central Asia and beyond, shares in and contributes to this remarkable national progress.
Public services are environmentally friendly and affordable. Renewable energy–powered buses, extensive metro systems, and high-speed trains connect cities with ease. Airports, equipped with multilingual signs and translation services, reflect China’s commitment to openness and modernity.
Discovering Kashi: A City of Color and Culture
Kashi was my first destination. Before visiting, I imagined a quiet, dusty, historical town, yet what I found was a vibrant, colorful oasis that perfectly blends ancient tradition with modern vitality. Its streets are full of energy, its people are lively and forward-looking, and its historical bazaars brim with life. Tourism has flourished, thanks to the supportive policies of both the central and regional governments, which have encouraged cultural preservation alongside economic growth.
The city's architecture harmoniously integrates traditional Chinese design with the diverse styles of the ethnic groups living there. Visitors can stay in local homestays, experience Uygur and other ethnic cuisines, and immerse themselves in the city’s unique rhythm.
President Xi Jinping’s emphasis on preserving historical authenticity while improving residents’ livelihoods has clearly taken root in Kashi. Ancient quarters have been revitalized into cultural attractions that support tourism and local development, ensuring that progress and preservation go hand in hand.
Urumqi: A Modern Hub of Connectivity
Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang, presents another side of the region—a dynamic, modern metropolis and a hub of trade, technology, and entrepreneurship. The city is alive day and night, its streets bustling with both commerce and culture.
During my visits, I toured the large inland trade port that connects China with Central Asia and Europe. This modern facility streamlines customs, warehousing, packaging, and logistics through advanced technology. Its operations symbolize Xinjiang’s growing role as a key artery of the Belt and Road Initiative, linking east and west with efficiency and innovation.
Urumqi’s digital infrastructure is world-class, and its energy reflects China’s determination to build a modern economy that is open, interconnected, and people-centered.
Harmony in Everyday Life
In Xinjiang, I witnessed harmony among the region’s many ethnic groups — Han, Uygur, Kazak, Hui, and others — living and working together in peace. The Uygur language and culture are visible and respected, from public signage and currency to education and everyday use.
During my visit to the Islamic Institute in Urumqi, I met students studying Islamic sciences in Uygur, Mandarin, and Arabic. The institute, managed by local Muslims with the support of the China Islamic Association, provides full scholarships, comfortable housing, and halal meals. Students graduate to serve as imams and scholars across the region and the country. The environment was warm and open, reflecting the institute’s mission to foster tolerance, faith, and service to the community.
Innovation in Industry and Medicine
Xinjiang’s industrial modernization is equally impressive. At the Xinjiang Traditional Uygur Medicine Pharmaceutical Company, I witnessed the integration of traditional knowledge with modern science and information technology. Smart warehouses, automated systems, and digitalized production lines showcase the region’s technological transformation.
Similarly, the region’s cotton industry has achieved a high level of mechanization and digitalization. Seeing automated Chinese-made machines harvest vast cotton fields is a powerful proof that modernization—not manual labor—is driving production. These innovations have increased farmers’ incomes, improved working conditions, and enhanced the sector’s global competitiveness.
Meritocracy and the Path of Development
One of the keys to China’s success, and by extension Xinjiang’s progress, lies in its system of meritocracy. Leadership positions in China are based on proven capability, long-term performance, and dedication to public service. From the central government to regional and local administrations, officials are selected through a rigorous system that rewards merit, not privilege.
This principle of governance ensures that policies are implemented efficiently, public resources are managed wisely, and citizens’ welfare remains at the center of development. In Xinjiang, this merit-based system is clearly visible in how urban planning, education, healthcare, and industrial development are carried out—with professionalism, accountability, and a focus on tangible results.
A Region of Natural Beauty and Opportunity
Xinjiang’s natural beauty is awe-inspiring. The Tianshan Grand Canyon, with its snowcapped peaks, vibrant meadows, and crystal-clear streams, stands as one of China’s great natural wonders. The region’s abundant sunlight and vast land make it ideal for renewable energy development. Solar and wind power projects are expanding rapidly, attracting domestic and foreign investment and creating new opportunities for residents.
Low electricity costs, advanced infrastructure, and policy incentives have made Xinjiang a magnet for startups and innovative enterprises. Young people, including many women, are launching digital businesses, filming promotional videos, and engaging with global audiences through social media. Their creativity and confidence are inspiring symbols of Xinjiang’s new generation.
Living Proof of Development and Stability
Seventy years have passed since the establishment of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Over those decades, Xinjiang has transformed into a peaceful, prosperous, and forward-looking region.
Education and healthcare are widely accessible, social welfare for the elderly is robust, and employment opportunities continue to expand. The business environment is fair and dynamic, driven by both local initiative and national support.
What I saw and experienced during my two visits stands in sharp contrast to the misinformation sometimes spread abroad. The reality is that Xinjiang is safe, modern, and open—a region where people of all ethnic backgrounds work together for a shared, harmonious future.
A Call to See the Truth for Yourself
My journeys to Xinjiang reaffirmed a simple truth: to understand reality, one must see it firsthand. The region’s progress, diversity, and vitality are living proof of China’s broader development path—guided by meritocracy, long-term vision, and the collective effort of its people.
To all readers around the world, I say this sincerely: visit Xinjiang. Discover its beauty, meet its people, and witness the harmony and progress that define this remarkable part of China. The facts, indeed, speak for themselves.
Abbas Jawad Kdaimy, a winner of China's Friendship Award in 2014 and the 13th Special Book Award of China in 2019, now teaches Arabic at the University of International Business and Economics (UIBE), Beijing.
附相关报道链接：http://english.ts.cn/system/2025/11/13/036984542.shtml
