Pakistani journalists ride a horse-drawn carriage at the tourism area in Yining, Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, on August 22, 2024. Photo: Zhang Yuying/GT

"The reality in Xinjiang is totally different from Western media's propaganda. People are happy, and the livelihood of people is absolutely amazing. When I go back to Pakistan, I will definitely report the right thing and try to cancel out those negative propaganda," Maarij Farooq, deputy editor of Daily Ittehad Media Group and chief digital editor, told the Global Times after his recent visit to Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. 

Farooq, together with eight other representatives from media and think tanks in Pakistan, witnessed the development situation in Xinjiang during their five-day tour in Urumqi and the Kazak Autonomous Prefecture of Ili.

For many of them, their firsthand experiences in Xinjiang have shattered the preconceived notions they had been fed by Western media. They are now calling for the global community to come together and work toward dispelling these falsehoods and fostering a more accurate and true understanding of Xinjiang.

Rule of law

During their exploration of the exhibition of the fight against terrorism and extremism in Xinjiang, the Pakistani journalists gained a deeper understanding of how China sticks to the principles of rule of law in combatting terrorism and extremism in Xinjiang.

In view of local reality and in accordance with China's legislation law and law on regional ethnic autonomy, Xinjiang has also accelerated the enactment of local regulations. These laws and regulations are powerful legal instruments to combat terrorism and extremism.

The Pakistani delegation praised China's achievements in combating terrorism in accordance with the law. "I'm glad that the people of Xinjiang have fought valiantly and bravely against terrorism and greatly ended it," Farooq said.

"I think that the Chinese government has done a wonderful job in fighting the terrorists by involving the society," Arbab Ali Asghar, a senior journalist of Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV), told the Global Times.

According to Yasir Habib Khan, founder and director of Institute of International Relations and Media Research (IIRMR), thanks to the enforcement of the rule of law by the Chinese government, terrorist networks in Xinjiang were detected and the root of the problem was identified. 

Pakistani journalists dance with local performers at the Kazanqi folk tourism area in Yining, Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, on August 22, 2024. Photo: Zhang Yuying/GT

Following the overarching goal of ensuring lasting social stability, Xinjiang stays committed to exercising law-based governance, promoting ethnic unity, strengthening cultural identity and bonds, and bringing greater prosperity to the region and its people.

After viewing a comprehensive video highlighting Xinjiang's steadfast response to various risks and challenges, resulting in sustained social stability and improved quality of life for all ethnic groups, all members of the Pakistani delegation couldn't help but break into spontaneous applause .

"It was beauty that China brought in laws to counter extremists and terrorist activities," Qamar Bashir, former press secretary to President, and also a free-lance journalist, told the Global Times. "People are smiling and (they are) happy. The way the Chinese government controls terrorism is indeed a success," Bashir said.

'Seeing is believing'

Learning about the achievements of Xinjiang in counter-terrorism was just a brief taste for the Pakistani guests to gain a first-hand experience of the region's ethnic unity and development. Later, when they were invited to dance with the local performers at the Kazanqi folk tourism area, and saw the bustling Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar, the delegation members could not help but burst into amazement and praise for the all-around progress in Xinjiang, and how it comes in sharp contrast to the Western smears.

"Whatever the Western media is spreading is far away from the truth. In English, they say 'seeing is believing,' or 'the proof of the pudding is in the eating.' I have eaten the pudding by seeing Xinjiang with my own eyes, as well as seeing the happiness and joy in local people's eyes," said Murtaza Solangi, Pakistan's former Minister for Information and Broadcasting, and chief editor of Stratheia. 

"If you look from the window of the plane, you see high rise buildings; when you land, you see modern cars. It's a region that's hustling and bustling with energy. There is nothing more powerful than the facts," Solangi said.

When asked why the West keeps spreading false narratives about Xinjiang, Khan told the Global Times that there are forces bent on their own ideas like hegemony and see China as a threat. "China is pursuing multi-polarization, which is not in the favor of those Western powers. They are using different tactics to harm China's development roads that lead toward prosperity," Khan said.

In light of those wrong and false stories, the Pakistani delegation agreed that these lies must be responded to. "We need to tell the world the good stories about Xinjiang, where people are prosperous and businesses are running," said Mian Abrar Hussain, chief news editor of Pakistan Today.

Hussain added that the poverty alleviation campaign has done wonders in China, bringing economic prosperity for common people. "Now everybody is in good conditions, and that's why they have happiness on their faces. These things need to be told worldwide." 

"No one should make perceptions before visiting one place," Farooq said. "I would recommend people visit this beautiful place themselves and see the change China is talking about."