Organized by the State Council Information Office, a cultural exchange delegation from northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region paid a visit to New Zealand where they held talks with local officials and people from May 1 to 2, 2016. 

The Xinjiang delegation met with officials of the Office of Ethnic Communities of New Zealand in the capital city of Wellington on May 1. The delegates, citing a great of facts and figures, gave a detailed introduction to the composition of ethnic communities in Xinjiang, the religion, and the unity and solidarity of all ethnic groups.

The delegation also explained the economic and social development in Xinjiang in recent years and the policies and measures the Chinese government has taken to protect the rights and interests of all ethnic minorities in the region, safeguard their religious freedom and fight against terrorism.

Officials from the Office of Ethnic Communities of New Zealand introduced the composition of ethnic minorities in their country and the specific work of the office. They focused on the introduction of the diverse culture of New Zealand and Auckland – the city with the largest number of ethnic minorities in the country.

Speaking of anti-terrorism, Xing Guangcheng, head of the Xinjiang delegation and director of the Institute of Chinese Borderland Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said that terrorist activities are aimed at creating confrontations between all ethnic groups and damage the interests of the people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang. Xing said that anti-terrorism efforts are essential and must be taken by both China and other countries in the world.

The Xinjiang delegation participated in exchange with Chinese students in Oakland on May 2, during which the delegates explained China's economic reform, development and its Belt and Road Initiative.

Source: State Council Information Office