Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, April 2, Title: Foreign envoys talked about the real Xinjiang: "Today's event made me feel very warm"

Xinhua News Agency reporters Shao Yibo, Cao Jiayue, Lu Junyu

On March 31, the aroma of baked naan and melodious and cheerful Uyghur folk songs in the Xinjiang Building in Beijing made the thoughts of Somalia's ambassador to China and Dan drift back 20 years ago - "I just went to Zhejiang Normal University to study, and I also sang and danced by the lake with Uyghur and Han students from Xinjiang. It was as unforgettable as today's event."

The lake wetland landscape at the foot of Gonggeer Jiube Peak and Muztag Peak on the Pamir Plateau in Xinjiang (photo on June 16, 2020, panoramic photo of drone). Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Hu Huhu

The Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region held an exchange meeting of the ambassadors in Beijing on March 31, and 70 diplomats in China from 43 countries and international organizations attended the meeting. The envoys shared their respective "Xinjiang stories" at the event site, using data, stories and personal experiences to present a picture of open and developing Xinjiang with full of vitality.

Relevant officials of the autonomous region introduced at the exchange meeting that in 2024, Xinjiang's GDP grew by 6.1% year-on-year, and fiscal expenditures of more than 77% were invested in the field of people's livelihood, received more than 300 million tourists throughout the year, and created 483,200 new urban jobs...

Pakistan's Ambassador to China Hashmi resonated with this: "I have carefully read the relevant reports of this year's Xinjiang Two Sessions. It must be said that numbers and actions are better than words! Xinjiang's social and economic progress is indeed impressive."

Hashmi has visited Xinjiang many times, with footprints spread all over the north and south of the Tianshan Mountains. He said that over the years, Xinjiang's development has been obvious to all - the roads are smoother, the city is more vibrant, and people's smiles are more confident.

On July 10, 2024, athletes from the Xinjiang delegation participated in the "Girl Chase" competition in Zhaosu, Xinjiang. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Chen Shuo

These achievements are not only the most powerful evidence of Xinjiang's high-quality development, but also the most vivid interpretation of respecting and protecting the rights and interests of all ethnic groups.

In front of the specialty product exhibition stand, Cuban Ambassador to China Bai Shide was attracted by a cultural and creative product with strong national characteristics.

"Is this design creation an intangible cultural heritage art originated from Xinjiang?" "Why is ceramic used in the inner shell of the thermos?" Bai Shide picked up the cultural and creative products printed with the painting of Xinjiang painter Hazi Aimati's "Hometown of Songs and Dances" and asked curiously.

The paintings made Bai Shide recall his experience of visiting Xinjiang. He never forgets Xinjiang's vast grasslands, majestic snow-capped mountains, and villages full of national customs.

"The people of Xinjiang are cheerful and enthusiastic, and the people who have the most say in Xinjiang's development are the people of Xinjiang." Bai Shide said that in the past two years, he has often heard that Xinjiang has made new progress in economic development, scientific and technological innovation and cultural heritage, and looks forward to going again.

"Xinjiang's respect for multi-ethnic culture is touching - every nation has completely retained its own cultural characteristics. We feel the prosperity and diversity of Xinjiang, which is a reflection of Chinese modernization." Bolivian Ambassador to China Siles was inspired.

The ten-line material grabber for the replacement and installation of loose pile loading goods at the Horgos Station in Xinjiang (photo on September 6, 2023). Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Zhao Ge

Connecting the east to the domestic and west to Europe and Asia. As the core area of ​​the Silk Road Economic Belt, Xinjiang has unique location advantages in the overall pattern of high-level opening up. Understanding Xinjiang and strengthening cooperation is one of the reasons why foreign guests come to attend the conference.

Shanghai Cooperation Organization Secretary-General Yermekbayev highly praised Xinjiang's "hub" status - this place borders many countries in the SCO family, and platforms such as Urumqi International Land Port Area and Kashgar Economic Development Zone are becoming "accelerators" of regional cooperation.

Uzbekistan's Ambassador to China Alziev described Xinjiang as the main "land bridge" for Uzbekistan's trade. He said that the main transportation routes connecting the two countries pass through Xinjiang, including the landmark China-Kyrgyzstan-Ukraine Railway, will open up new opportunities for further expansion of commerce and investment.

Hedan proposed to learn from Xinjiang about desertification prevention and control experience; Xilais sent Latin American people the invitation to "experience the meadow iceberg" to Xinjiang; Hashmi brought good news from the border - Hongqilafu Port has been opened throughout the year, "from then on, the road of friendship will no longer be blocked by the seasons"...

Tianma Bath River photographed in Zhaosu Wetland Park, Xinjiang on July 11, 2024. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Chen Shuo

"Today's event made me feel very warm and opened my eyes to Xinjiang again." He Dan said that seeing people from different ethnic groups talking and laughing at the scene made her more interested in China's policy of closely uniting multi-ethnic groups.

He Dan, who had just taken office as Somalia's ambassador to China, has not visited Xinjiang yet, but this exchange meeting has made her unable to wait to arrange her itinerary to Xinjiang.