COMSATS organizes dialogue on China’s Xinjiang Policy

ISLAMABAD, Aug.18(Gwadar Pro) - China Study Centre of COMSATS University, Islamabad on Wednesday evening hosted a dialogue on China’s Xinjiang Policy in collaboration with the Chinese Embassy.

Wang Shengjie, First Secretary, Embassy of China, Islamabad presented China's point of view on the matter of Xinjiang. He talked about the beauty and cultural prosperity of Xinjiang. He said that Xinjiang registered a 25% increase in the Uyghur population between 2010 and 2018.

Sultan M. Hali, a defense analyst, said that Xinjiang is a beautiful and prosperous region with a GDP of RMB 1.38 trillion in 2020, having high-speed rail projects and more than 21 airports. Xinjiang has over 20,000 mosques where Islamic education is being taught to young Muslims leaving behind extremism, he said.

Nasir Khan, President Ex Chinese Association, Pakistan, said that the Chinese government paid a lot of attention to the development of Xinjiang and took several steps for bringing economic prosperity. He said that the rights of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang including Muslims are well protected by the government and there has been a sharp decline in terrorist attacks after 2016.

Khizar Hayat, Eurasian Century Institute, Islamabad, completely nullified accusations made against China on the Xinjiang matter. Dr. Shabana Fayyaz, Chairperson, Department of Defense and Strategic Studies, Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad suggested the academia should properly showcase the reality in front of the people. She highlighted development projects initiated by China in Xinjiang including poverty alleviation, providing fishing and shipping rights, and education and vocational training to the people.

Hina Naveed, Researcher, Overseas Chinese Association, said that they have established a separate desk to study Xinjiang and its people. She said that these conspiracies against China are done to create hurdles in their economic rise. The program came off with performances especially inspired by Xinjiang culture.