An integral part of Chinese culture

Xinjiang has been an important hub of economic and cultural exchanges between the East and West, and a place where many civilizations and religions have intermingled since ancient times. The ethnic cultures of the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, nurtured in the lap of Chinese civilization, have strengthened exchanges with the culture of the Central Plains over thousands of years. As a result, a unique culture has developed in Xinjiang.

But during the past years, the "three evil forces" of terrorism, separatism and extremism, have exaggerated the cultural differences between Xinjiang and the rest of China with the motive of breaking this cultural bond.

History shows all ethnic cultures in Xinjiang have their roots in Chinese civilization and thus constitute an integral part of Chinese culture. The origins of Xinjiang's ethnic cultures are not the same as that of Islamic culture. For instance, long before the Uygurs converted to Islam, the Uygur culture had taken root and developed as part of Chinese culture.