West must get facts on Xinjiang right

Some recent reports in the Western media have brought Aktash, a small village in Hotan, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, in the limelight. Quoting some individuals, Radio Free Asia recently said the local government has forced shop and restaurant owners to sell liquor, which is against the teachings of Islam.

Xinjiang has always been a sensitive issue for the Western media. But since some of the foreign media outlets don't have even the basic knowledge of the situation in Xinjiang, they tend to quote partisan or misleading sources leading to distorted reports. Worse, some Western journalists, having never visited the region, conjure up reports from imagination that are full of prejudices.

The Western media's concern about Xinjiang is understandable. The region is home to China's largest Muslim community, shares borders with eight countries and has played an important role in the last round of reform of opening-up. And now that China is building the Silk Road Economic Belt, Xinjiang will be a key connecting point with other countries on the route.