Inter-Ethnic Harmony

Before I travelled to Xinjiang, friends had urged me to be careful when I was there. Regular news reports over the years of attacks by terror groups have cast a long shadow on this harsh but picturesque landscape.

It will be totally off the mark to accuse the Central Government of neglect. Everywhere we turned, we saw new roads being constructed, along with investments in agriculture and industries. There are Uighur language TV stations and newspapers. On our last night in Urumqi, we went out on our own to look for a local bar.

Exploring the Uighur sectors, we were clearly the only non-Uighurs around. We attracted curious stares, but the people were friendly and helpful, when we asked for directions. When we had to spend some time waiting for a friend, we did not feel exposed or vulnerable. The local people looked at us, we smiled and waved, and they did the same.

It was the same story when we found a Uighur Club. Some were curious as we made our entrance, while the rest were having enjoying themselves. We could see that this is a pretty conservative society, with many men and women dancing with their own sexes. Apparently dancing between mixed sexes is confined to confirmed couples.

In Urumqi, we could see that some Han Chinese and Uighurs are still not comfortable interacting with each other. There is no hostility, just a respectful distance. In the other cities, this is less apparent. The Han Chinese are proud to show off the cuisine of the other ethnic groups, as well as their cultures. At the Century Square in Aksu Prefecture, residents of different ethnic background were seen in droves, young and old, enjoying themselves till sunset, which is past 10.30pm in summer.

When I returned to Singapore, a friend shared an article on WeChat, written by a young woman, who had a Uighur mother and a Kazakh father. While she was fortunate to be able to speak and write in both languages, she also has to put up with family pressures from both sides on which is her "mother tongue". The situation got a little more complicated when she studies in a multi-language school. There, she became fluent in Mandarin, as well as other ethnic tongues.

"It was fun in school," she remembered. "we shared elegant love poems from Chinese classics, laughed at naughty stories playing on words."

Things got sticky when she visited her cousin in the hometown. Her cousin had reacted in shock when the writer said something in Mandarin. She was made to feel that she had compromised her ethnic identity. While she obliged and returned to her mother tongue, she was also quietly adamant that her cousin had over-reacted.

Looking Ahead

The "Belt and Road" is a far-sighted initiative, and it will bring exciting development to Xinjiang and many countries around China. The expansion of road, rail and air links will increase the connectivity between Central Asia and into Europe on one side, and with the rest of China and the Maritime Silk Road countries. With the infrastructure in place, we will eventually see the connectivity between the economies and peoples of the Continental and the Maritime Silk Road regions. The business opportunities and the synergies between the two regions will be tremendous.

For the different ethnic groups in Xinjiang, I hope this connectivity becomes a historical opportunity to embrace the diversity in our region. And may that diversity bring peace, harmony and growth for everyone.

The writer had joined dozens of international and Chinese journalists on the tour of Xinjiang in July. The trip was organised by the Information Office of China's State Council.

The Author: Danny Lee, Senior Advisor to the Chairman, China-ASEAN Business Association (CABA)