On October 26, renowned Japanese cultural scholar Keiko Takahashi shared her admiration for Xinjiang during an interview. “There are many enchanting places in China, but Xinjiang holds a special allure for the Japanese,” she noted. Having visited the region multiple times, Takahashi expressed that the unique cultural diversity and the taste of Xinjiang raisins have left a lasting impression on her.
This conversation took place during the second Xinjiang Human Rights Development Forum at Xinjiang Normal University in Urumqi, where international figures from Japan, Norway, Egypt, and Pakistan participated virtually, sharing their experiences in Xinjiang.
Takahashi’s journey in Xinjiang began in 1994 when she first arrived in Turpan. “The sweet and sour flavor of Xinjiang raisins, along with their stunning jade-like color, captivated me,” she recalled. Since then, she has explored various areas including Kashgar, Karamay, and Altay.
“In Altay, I had the opportunity to visit a Tuvan family, which vividly showcased the cultural diversity of Xinjiang,” she reflected, noting that it has been exactly 30 years since her first visit. Throughout that time, she observed significant changes across the region, with its rich cultural mosaic thriving.
Similarly, Norwegian international affairs expert Tolle Vestby, who visited Xinjiang in 2019 after attending an event in Hangzhou, described his initial curiosity about the region. “I heard so many stories about Xinjiang and felt the need to see it for myself,” he said. After spending three days in Urumqi, he found the experience unforgettable. “I wandered around freely and encountered joyful people. The highlight of my trip was the Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar, where the locals were dancing joyfully.”
In September of this year, Vestby returned for a dedicated visit, touring areas including Kashgar, Ili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture, Bortala Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture, and Urumqi. “We visited several cultural centers and witnessed people singing and dancing together, with multiple ethnic groups coexisting happily,” he said.
Egyptian political commentator Ahmed Suleiman, who has visited Xinjiang twice with his most recent trip occurring in late 2023, shared similar sentiments. He spent eight months in the region, observing the harmonious coexistence among its diverse ethnic groups, each maintaining their traditions, culinary practices, and languages such as Uyghur, Kazakh, and Mongolian.
Pakistani international relations expert Mian Abul Hussein visited Xinjiang in August as part of a media and think tank delegation. He remarked on the region’s rich cultural tapestry and highlighted the local government’s ongoing efforts to preserve and promote this diversity for all to enjoy.
