Visiting diplomats appreciate well-protected culture in Xinjiang |
2009-08-19 16:16 |
The cultural relics and ethnic identities of Uygurs have been well preserved in northwest The envoys visited the centuries-old Karez Wells, or subterranean canals, which are regarded as one of The visitors also went to the Imin Minaret, a pagoda that was built in 1777 devoted to Islam, and the Jiaohe Ruins, an ancient city on the Since last year, authorities in Xinjiang have started a 182 million U.S.-dollar renovation of the Karez irrigation system, a program that is intended to improve irrigation and ease the impact of drought. The project will run till 2010. "The three sites are the historical evidence that people in Xinjiang have long a civilization. They are proof that Xinjiang is not a neglected area," said Sudrajat, Indonesian ambassador to "The Imin tower is the symbol of the early stage of Muslim civilization in Xinjiang. People that I talked to appreciate that the central government spent so much money in protecting the heritage," he said. " "We are happy to see the improved daily life of the minority in Xinjiang which is so close to our culture," he said. The envoys visited the family of Mahmut, sitting around tables with grapes and enjoying the performance of the hosts. Murat Salim Esenli, Turkish ambassador to The Chinese government is keen on preserving the ethnic identities and culture of the minorities. If these are well preserved, the tensions between the ethnic groups would be eliminated, he said. |