Xi Jinping Marks 70th Anniversary of Xinjiang Region Amid Ongoing Surveillance and Repression

Chinese President Xi Jinping Celebrates in Xinjiang Amid Surveillance and Repression BEIJING, CHINA - SEPTEMBER 26, 2025 - Chinese President Xi Jinping marked the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region with a celebratory visit to the region, where he received a red-carpet welcome from local residents. However, the festivities have been met with skepticism and criticism from Uyghur exiles who point out the stark contrast between the celebrations and the harsh realities faced by the ethnic minority group. According to eyewitnesses, Xi was greeted with traditional Uyghur music and dance performances during his visit to Xinjiang on September 22. The event was broadcast live on Chinese state media, showcasing the region's rich cultural heritage. However, Aziz Isa Elkun, a 56-year-old Uyghur poet who fled Xinjiang nearly three decades ago, couldn't bear to watch the footage. "It was just a second or two and I stopped," Elkun said in an interview with DW. "It was ridiculous to see people singing for him after what he did to our community." Elkun's comments reflect the deep-seated mistrust and resentment among many Uyghur exiles towards Xi's government, which has been accused of perpetrating human rights abuses against the ethnic minority group. Under Xi's rule over the past decade, mass detention and heavy surveillance of ethnic Uyghur groups have intensified in Xinjiang. According to estimates, hundreds of thousands of Uyghurs have been detained in "re-education" camps, where they are subjected to forced labor, torture, and other forms of abuse. The Chinese government has justified these measures as necessary to maintain social stability and combat terrorism. However, critics argue that the policies are designed to suppress Uyghur identity and culture, rather than address legitimate security concerns. "The Chinese government is using a false narrative to justify its actions," said a spokesperson for the World Uyghur Congress, a human rights organization representing the interests of the Uyghur people. In response to criticism from international human rights groups and Western governments, Beijing has maintained that it is committed to promoting economic development and social stability in Xinjiang. Xi's visit to the region was seen as an opportunity to showcase China's achievements in these areas. The celebrations in Xinjiang have sparked a renewed debate about the impact of Xi's policies on the region's ethnic minority groups. As the Chinese government continues to promote its vision for a unified, multi-ethnic nation-state, many Uyghur exiles remain skeptical about the prospects for genuine reconciliation and reform. In the words of Aziz Isa Elkun, "The problem is not just with Xi Jinping; it's with the system itself." *Reporting by Dw.*