Xinjiang People's Publishing House launched two books — Zhongguo Xinjiang Diqu Lishi (The History of China's Xinjiang Region) and Zhongguo Xinjiang Diqu Zongjiao Shi (The Religious History in China's Xinjiang Region) — in Beijing on Wednesday.
China's Xinjiang region, known as Xiyu in ancient times, has long been a vital part of the Silk Road and a key meeting point between Eastern and Western civilizations. Over the centuries, this region has witnessed a rich interplay of economic, political, cultural, ethnic, and religious influences. Today, it is the largest provincial-level administrative region in China.
The two works bring together scattered historical records, clarify the main threads of the region's development, and connect fragmented facts into a complete and coherent narrative.
"Drawing on a wealth of verified historical sources, the two books carefully trace the historical context and clearly support three key conclusions: the Xinjiang region has always been an inseparable part of Chinese territory; the ethnic groups in the region are integral members of the Chinese family; and their cultures are essential components of Chinese culture," says Lu Cairong, vice-chairman of the Publishers Association of China, in a speech at the book launch.
"They provide an objective and fair framework for understanding Xinjiang's history and lay a strong academic foundation for presenting the region's past accurately."
Extensive writings on the Silk Road document continuous exchanges among nomads, farmers, merchants, religious figures, and artisans in Xinjiang. These interactions helped shape the region's vibrant local cultures, from grassland nomadism and oasis agriculture to the thriving commercial towns, says Guan Kai, head of School of Ethnology and Sociology of Minzu University of China.
The cultural diversity is also reflected in its local religious history. Over the centuries, Shamanism, Zoroastrianism, Buddhism, Manichaeism and Nestorianism were practiced there in succession. Islam arrived comparatively later, Guan says.
The history of Xinjiang's formation and development is therefore particularly valuable for research, says Zhang Zhigang, a professor at Peking University's Institute for Religious Culture Studies.
"This is particularly evident in how the continuity, unity, and inclusiveness of Chinese civilization fundamentally shaped the region's openness to diverse cultures, influenced the historical course of ethnic interaction and integration, and contributed to the coexistence of different religious beliefs," he says.
Zhongguo Xinjiang Diqu Lishi traces the historical development and unique characteristics of the Xinjiang region from ancient times to the present, with greater emphasis on its modern and contemporary history, says Tian Weijiang, editor-in-chief of the book.
Drawing on archaeological discoveries and detailed historical records, the book provides strong evidence for the view that Xinjiang has always been an inseparable part of China, he says.
By clarifying historical facts and dispelling misconceptions, the book seeks to resolve confusion, correct misunderstandings, and offer an accurate account of Xinjiang's past, he adds.
Zhongguo Xinjiang Diqu Zongjiao Shi traces the development of religion in the region over thousands of years, offering a detailed account of its historical landscape.
It highlights a key fact: since ancient times, Xinjiang has been home to multiple ethnic groups and religious communities. Throughout its history, the region's religious development has followed the tradition of political leadership over religious affairs. Different religious groups have adapted and coexisted within the framework of Chinese culture, creating a foundation of openness and inclusivity, Lu adds.
In today's internet landscape, reliable and unreliable information coexist, while misleading ideas can spread subtly through new media, Lu says.
"The release of these two books is timely, providing much-needed authoritative and accurate historical resources for the general public," he says.
