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Two faces of Xinjiang in the World? Egyptian sinologist: One I've seen, one the West has fabricated

Nov 06, 2025



Editor's Note: Recently, the "China in the Eyes of Sinologists: A Cultural Tour in Xinjiang" delegation traveled through Kashi, Urumqi, Ili and beyond in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Its members, from across the globe, boast deep familiarity with Chinese culture—many even count as "old China hands." What caught their eye in Xinjiang? What stayed with them? Starting today, InXinjiang presents a special series, Insights from Sinologists, to bring their journey to life.

Egyptian translator and sinologist Ahmed Mohamed Elsaid Soliman has been engaged in Chinese language education and China-Arab cultural exchange since 2006, overseeing a bilateral book translation project that has significantly contributed to cultural ties between China and Egypt. This marks his tenth visit to northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Walking along the bustling pedestrian street of the Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar, he experienced firsthand the happiness of Xinjiang's diverse ethnic groups and observed the tremendous progress the region has made in all aspects.
Ahmed Mohamed Elsaid Soliman observed that Xinjiang's unified yet diverse culture and arts were exceptionally rare globally. He described the region as a key Silk Road hub that exemplified inclusivity while driving innovation, serving as a crucial bridge between China and the international community. Having personally witnessed Xinjiang's social harmony, stability, openness, inclusiveness, and economic prosperity. He believes there are two faces of Xinjiang in this world: one is the false image fabricated by Western media, the other is the real Xinjiang that exists in reality. Yet the latter is rarely reported by foreign media.
"What you see in Xinjiang is 100 percent different from Western reports," Ahmed Mohamed Elsaid Soliman said.
Executive Producer: Xiao Chunfei
Supervisors: Ding Tao and Xue Jing
Producer: Jie Wenjin
Planner: Cheng Li
Reporter: Ma Jie
Cameras: Yin Xiaoyu and Tao Tao
Post-production: Resuli Aixiding
Reviewers: Bai Yonggang, Ruxianguli, Hou Weili and Fan Feifei
Translator: Zhang Shijie
Source :Tianshannet

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