Editor's note: Why are so many lies being stirred up about Xinjiang? "You can't accuse a country that hosts 56 ethnicities living in peace for thousands of years of committing genocide," says Hasanein Khaddam, Syrian Ambassador to China, about skewered Western media reports.

Liu Xin: Comparing what you saw and what you read, what you have been reading on the international media about all the "horrible things" that were alleged to have taken place in Xinjiang, including "genocide or forced labor, concentration camp." How do you understand the huge gap? What accounted for the huge gap between what you saw, what you understood, and what was told to you on the media? And why do you think so many lies are being stirred up about Xinjiang?

Mhd. Hasanein Khaddam: First of all, China is a success story. And Xinjiang is another example of this success story. I think Xinjiang, within the last decade, achieved about 250% growth. It's a remarkable figure. And it's reflected in people's lives and well-being. And about "genocides," I mean, these ridiculous accusations, you cannot accuse a country that hosts 56 ethnicities living in peace for thousands of years of committing genocide.

The diversity is enough proof that there is the real essence of democracy and acceptance. It's manifested within the people and their culture. I want to tell you that the gap between what we saw in reality on the ground and what we usually read in Western media outlets is unbridgeable by all standards. Of course, coming from Syria, after 12 years of terrorism and Western war launched against my country. In fact, it's the same game, a replay of the same lies from the same media outlets that are forging stories out of nowhere.

It was a very impressive tour. Everyone was impressed. And what impressed me more, including all the delegation, was the successful policies taken by the Chinese government that changed this remote province into an oasis of business and success, which is reflected in the lives and well-being of people there from all ethnicities. The peaceful atmosphere where you can walk in the markets during late hours in the night.

Liu Xin: There was recently a deal signed at an exchange-of-notes ceremony held in Damascus in July. And Syria is said to receive communications equipment from China, which is part of an ongoing aid framework that aims to improve local network infrastructure, especially in those areas hardest hit by the Syrian war, which began in 2011. What could you tell us about this project? And how is that supposed to benefit the Syrian people in their reconstruction?

Mhd. Hasanein Khaddam: Dear Liu Xin, in fact, out of gratitude, we must express our thanks. In fact, the government, and the people of Syria (must express thanks) for the humanitarian assistance the Chinese government and people extended to my country throughout the dire days of the Syrian crisis.

This assistance helps Syrians fare through the tough days in various fields, whether medical, transportation, telecommunications, education, especially COVID-related, you know, during the pandemic, equipment to fight cancer, prosthetics, (since there were) a lot of casualties because of the war.

China extended really needed help to the Syrian people. And I really want to compare. I want your esteemed audience to compare the totally different approaches. China took to help Syria, while on the other hand, Western unilateral, illegal measures suffocated the Syrian economy.

And people imposing a blockade, cutting Syria's banks from the international financial system. The West, unfortunately, has not changed its skin. And they cannot. They, in fact, have been a culprit in the Syrian war, just like ISIS terrorists.

There is an image that I cannot forget. I visited Yuanmingyuan maybe in 2016, and I saw the same image of destruction. I cannot see any difference between the destruction I saw in Yuanmingyuan and what I saw in Palmyra.

Liu Xin: Finally, your excellency, if I may, there is the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China to be convened on October 16th. What are your expectations?

Mhd. Hasanein Khaddam: In fact, we carefully follow the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China. It's important for China, and I think for all the world, especially now, the timing.

It's held in the wake of the pandemic, as well as the changing international atmosphere, adjustments in the rebalancing of distribution, away with the rise of Asia and China in particular. We are interested in knowing the new agenda that will be discussed and expect more Chinese initiatives in support of international growth within the context of the shared future for humanity.

We believe this will positively impact international stability and development, as well as the well-being of the Chinese people. It is a very, very important conference. And we will follow very carefully, and we wish success for this Congress.