What the West can learn from Xinjiang: A story beyond the narrative

Editor's note: Ali Al-Assam, a special commentator on current affairs for CGTN, is founder and chairman of the Mushtarek Project and co-editor of the Friends of Socialist China. He is also a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and Industry, UK. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

For years, Xinjiang has been at the center of a global political storm. Western media and governments have painted a picture of oppression, forced labor, and cultural erasure, often without verifiable evidence. The United States, UK, Canada, and the European Union have imposed sanctions, banned imports, and accused China of human rights violations, including claims as severe as genocide. Yet, few in the West have sought to understand Xinjiang beyond these allegations.

The reality on the ground is strikingly different. Those who have visited Xinjiang describe not a dystopian landscape of repression but a region of remarkable development, technological advancement, and cultural vibrancy. Xinjiang is not just a geopolitical talking point – it is a living, breathing example of how economic progress, technological innovation, and cultural diversity can coexist in a modern society. What lessons, then, can the West learn from Xinjiang's successes?

A personal perspective

I traveled to Xinjiang in June 2024 and learned to love it and its people for two profound reasons. First, as part of socialist China, where so much has been achieved for the people over the last few decades, Xinjiang stands as a testament to development and progress.  

Second, Xinjiang is a region deeply connected to my own heritage. Visiting cities such as Kashgar, Urumqi, and Turpan, and stepping into their historical mosques, I felt a deep sense of familiarity, as if I were back in Baghdad, where I was born, or Damascus, Beirut and Cairo, where I spent a good portion of my life. The cultural coexistence and harmony in Xinjiang have existed for thousands of years, and the Communist Party of China has only strengthened this diversity.

A powerhouse of technological innovation

Xinjiang has emerged as a leader in clean energy, robotics, transport, and manufacturing. The region is home to some of the largest solar and wind farms in the world, making it a cornerstone of China's transition to renewable energy.  

Xinjiang has installed over 20 GW of wind energy capacity and is rapidly expanding its solar power infrastructure, including the world's largest 5 GW solar farm near Urumqi. High-tech industries, from big data and cloud computing to robotics and AI-driven agriculture, are flourishing.  

Xinjiang is also a leader in smart farming, with over 90 percent of its agriculture mechanized, integrating automated irrigation, drone technology, and AI-powered crop management.

These advancements challenge the Western narrative of forced labor and economic backwardness. If Xinjiang's fields are filled with automated harvesting machines and drones, where, then, is the evidence of the so-called "slave labor" that Western critics frequently cite? Rather than engaging in ideological battles, the West should focus on what it can learn from Xinjiang's advances in technological integration and sustainable agriculture.

Cultural harmony, not cultural suppression

Xinjiang is home to 13 officially recognized ethnic groups, including Uygurs, Kazakhs, Hui, and Tajiks, who have lived together for centuries. The Chinese government has invested in preserving and promoting this cultural diversity. The translation of the Quran into Mandarin, Uygur-language newspapers, and the protection of mosques and religious practices counter the simplistic Western narrative of religious repression.

In a world where cultural diversity often becomes a source of division, Xinjiang offers a different model – one of integration rather than assimilation. The government has implemented policies that seek to unify people under a common national identity while celebrating their cultural distinctions. Western nations, many of which are struggling with racial tensions and social fragmentation, could benefit from studying how scientific Marxism and economic development have been used in Xinjiang as tools for social cohesion.

A global trade hub in the making

Xinjiang's strategic importance extends far beyond China's borders. The region is a key node in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), serving as a gateway between China and Central Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. Cities like Kashgar and Urumqi are rapidly transforming into trade and logistics hubs, connecting markets and facilitating economic growth along the ancient Silk Road routes. In November 2023, the Xinjiang Pilot Free Trade Zone was officially launched, a strategically significant move in further promoting trade between this northwestern frontier region and the rest of the world.

Rather than viewing the BRI as a threat, Western economies should see it as an opportunity. The integration of Xinjiang into global trade networks presents possibilities for cooperation rather than confrontation. With infrastructure projects stretching across continents, the BRI has the potential to reshape global trade, and ignoring this reality only isolates the West from new economic opportunities.

Reframing the narrative

If Western governments and media are truly invested in human rights, development, and global progress, then their engagement with Xinjiang should not be rooted in hostility but in curiosity. Instead of fueling a new Cold War, why not explore the possibility of collaboration? What policies could the UK, the U.S., and Europe adopt from Xinjiang's advancements in green energy, transport, and industrial automation? How could they learn from China's approach to managing ethnic diversity in a way that fosters national unity?

The current narrative places China perpetually on the defensive, forcing it to counter allegations rather than highlight its achievements. But the real question should be directed at the accusers: Why is the West so invested in demonizing China rather than learning from its successes? Why is there such resistance to acknowledging that Xinjiang is an emerging hub of progress rather than a dystopian outpost?

It is time for a shift in perspective. Xinjiang is not a problem to be solved but an example to be studied. Its advancements in clean energy, infrastructure, and social cohesion offer valuable lessons for a world in desperate need of sustainable solutions.

The choice is simple: Continue engaging in ideological battles or embrace the opportunity to understand, collaborate, and grow together. Which path will the West take?

(If you want to contribute and have specific expertise, please contact us at opinions@cgtn.com. Follow @thouse_opinions on Twitter to discover the latest commentaries in the CGTN Opinion Section.)