On September 3, the "Share the Real Xinjiang with the World" Sharing Session @Guangdong kicked off in Guangzhou.

Participants included domestic and foreign scholars, professionals across various sectors, and social media influencers. Speakers who have promoted Xinjiang-Guangdong cooperation, as well as youths from Hong Kong and Macao, gathered here to share their experiences of collaboration and personal stories connected to Xinjiang.

The session comprises panel discussions and roundtable sharing centered on the themes of Understanding Xinjiang, Xinjiang-Guangdong Ties, and Picturing the Future of Xinjiang Together. Domestic scholars will provide diverse perspectives on Xinjiang's history, culture, economic development, national characteristics, customs, and habits.

Jerry Grey, an Australian social media influencer living in China, still vividly remembers how he was captivated by the marvelous time in Xinjiang. A few years ago, Jerry traveled across the region by bicycle for two times, greeted not only by its great people but also by its great diversity and rich culture.

"I've traveled there several times, but twice traveled across the region by bicycle, traveling across China from one side to the other, and then a few years later traveling from the west back to the east by bicycle," he recalled. "Each time through Xinjiang, I've just experienced such a wonderful time."

He spoke of many misconceptions about the region over the years, which he sees purely arising from misunderstandings or misinformation. "The more we share about Xinjiang, the fewer misunderstandings there will be about it," he commented. "I think it's a fantastic place that everybody should visit."

"I stayed in Xinjiang for a long time, more than 5 years, and my experience in work and my life in Xinjiang is very beautiful and full of joy and no worry," Osama Abdalla Abdelshafy Mohamed, who is from Egypt, works as a special associate researcher at Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography.

With his international teammates in Xinjiang, Osama has made solid efforts in inventing biofertilizer and combating plant disease in the region. As someone coming from a million miles away, he has never felt like an outsider, but more a sense of belonging in Xinjiang. "China has more than 56 ethnic groups, and up to 40 of them are in Xinjiang," he said. "All these people, despite different cultures, live in harmony and are united, and all of them are working hard to build Xinjiang into a better place."

In addition, speakers who have fostered Xinjiang-Guangdong cooperation will elaborate on how these regions collaborate to mutually enhance their development. Furthermore, youths from the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and social media influencers will share their personal experiences in Xinjiang and explore its future prospects.

Through video links during the session, audiences both online and offline will be presented with the story of the preservation of ethnic minority musical instruments, the vibrant and diverse landscape of Kashi, as well as the implementation of modern and intelligent technology in Xinjiang's agriculture and pastoralism. 

Reporter | Jersey

Video | Pan Jiajun

Editor | Steven, Will, James