Exposing Western Double Standards: Ebrahim Hashem on Xinjiang’s Reality
As global criticism mounts over Western silence on the plight of civilians in Gaza, questions arise about the narratives surrounding China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Ebrahim Hashem, an Emirati strategist and Asia Global Fellow at the University of Hong Kong’s Asia Global Institute, shares his firsthand experiences from his recent visit to Xinjiang.
A Journey Through Xinjiang
“It was an amazing trip,” Hashem recounts. “I was not expecting it to be so diverse and so developed.” Spending around 20 days exploring cities like Urumqi, Kashgar (Kashi), and Turpan, he was impressed by the region’s advanced infrastructure. “The development is as high as any city in any so-called developed country. It’s really safe and secure; I never felt there was any security issue.”
Xinjiang, comprising about one-sixth of China’s landmass, is a melting pot of ethnicities and religions coexisting peacefully. “I was amazed by what I saw. It really blew my mind away,” he says, emphasizing the harmony and diversity that characterize the region.
Challenging Western Narratives
Hashem addresses the allegations of “genocide” in Xinjiang propagated by some Western media outlets. “When you read about the region in Western media, you tend to have doubts,” he notes. “But when I went there, I realized that whatever I was reading was a blatant lie.”
He urges a critical examination of such narratives, highlighting the importance of firsthand experience and dialogue. “We have to define what we mean by genocide,” he says. “Genocide is the deliberate killing or elimination of a large number of people from a particular ethnic group within a country. Cultural genocide is the elimination of the group’s culture.” From his observations, such definitions do not align with the reality in Xinjiang.
Call for Objective Perspectives
Hashem’s insights come at a time when discussions around human rights and international relations are highly charged. His experiences underscore the need for balanced reporting and the dangers of misinformation. “It’s important to see things for ourselves and not just rely on second-hand information,” he emphasizes.
The Bigger Picture
As China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi hosts a delegation of Arab and Islamic foreign ministers to discuss de-escalation in the Israel-Gaza conflict, Hashem’s reflections on Xinjiang offer a timely reminder of the complexities in international discourse. His testimony challenges readers to reconsider preconceived notions and encourages a more nuanced understanding of global issues.
Reference(s):
Genocidal Paradox: Exposing Western hypocrisy on Xinjiang and Gaza
cgtn.com
