Getting a clear picture of Xinjiang

Photographer Kurbanjan Samat isn't surprised his first book is a hit. But he is surprised at its power to counter prejudice against natives of the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region.

The photo book, which provides portraits of the everyday lives of people from Xinjiang, has sold more than 50,000 copies since its October release (10,000 copies is the threshold for a best-seller in China).

Most of the people profiled live outside Xinjiang. Others have relatives or comparable connections to the autonomous region.