China finds foreign support for Xinjiang policies as region seeks to boost economic ties

Envoys from 49 countries attend event hosted by Xinjiang officials, with many saying they hope to strengthen cooperation under belt and road strategy

Xinjiang aims to expand its international influence as it faces allegations of human rights abuses and forced labour – accusations Beijing has denied

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Xinjiang is home to 25.85 million people, 14.93 million of whom are members of ethnic minority groups, including Tajiks, pictured here, as well as Uygurs and Kazakhs. Photo: Xinhua

Published: 7:13pm, 11 Apr 2024Updated: 7:53pm, 11 Apr 2024

Ambassadors from more than 20 countries showed support for China’s policies in Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region and vowed to develop closer economic ties with the far western area as it seeks to expand its international influence amid human rights abuse allegations.

While attending a reception in Beijing on Wednesday, the ambassadors from South Africa, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Iran, Syria and Turkey told Xinjiang authorities that they hoped to strengthen economic ties with the region.

More than 50 diplomats from 49 countries, including 21 ambassadors, attended the reception. It was the largest of several similar events organised by Xinjiang officials in recent years.

The most senior Chinese official present was Xinjiang Communist Party chief Ma Xingrui, who is also a member of the Politburo, the party’s elite decision-making body.

The event coincided with Eid ul-Fitr, the Muslim festival that marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadan.

Xinjiang is home to 25.85 million people, 14.93 million of whom are members of ethnic minority groups, including the Muslim Uygurs and Kazakhs.