Xinjiang: An integral part of Chinese civilization

More than 100 scholars and archaeologists from countries including China, the United States, Australia, Germany, Egypt and Kazakhstan took part in the forum held in southern Xinjiang's Kashgar city, sharing the latest archaeological findings in the region, and the ties of the history of the region and the Chinese culture.

The forum can help Xinjiang further explore its history and look into how its unique culture is formed, which are valuable to China and boosting exchanges between the East and West, Erkin said.

Internationally, there is a baseless narrative that separates Xinjiang culture and Chinese culture and even portrays them as being in opposition. However, a large amount of archaeological evidence shows that Xinjiang has always been an important part of the Chinese cultural sphere, Pan Yue, director of the National Ethnic Affairs Commission, said at the forum.