By Alp Uyghur
From rural inspections in 2009 to the 70th anniversary in 2025, Xi’s visits and meetings in Uyghurland have reinforced Beijing’s policies of genocide, assimilation, surveillance, and repression of Uyghurs.
China said it will stage a ceremony on September 25 in Urumqi to mark 70 years since creating the so-called Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. State media Xinhua reported that Xi Jinping is expected to attend.
- 2009, June – Daxi Village (Korla, Bayingolin)
Xi, then vice president, inspected “party building” in rural areas. This early trip foreshadowed deeper state penetration into Uyghur villages under the CCP banner. - 2014, April – Kashgar & Urumqi
First major visit as top leader. Xi promoted “ethnic unity” and economic integration, laying the groundwork for “Strike Hard” policies that escalated mass surveillance and detention soon after. - 2014, September – Letter to Daxi Village
Xi praised “party loyalty” and called the village a model of prosperity. Symbolic propaganda used to cover widespread poverty and repression. - 2014, May – Second Central Xinjiang Work Forum (Beijing)
Xi stressed “ethnic unity as cornerstone,” pushing assimilation under the slogan of “Chinese nation as one family.” This became the political foundation for cultural erasure campaigns. - 2017, January–March – Symbolic gestures
Xi sent a letter to descendants of state-propaganda figure Kurban Tulum, urging Uyghurs to love the Party. In March, he posed with representatives from Hotan. These events were used to reinforce loyalty narratives while mass detentions surged in the region. - 2020, September 25–26 – Third Central Xinjiang Work Forum (Beijing)
Xi emphasized “cultural work” and “Sinicization,” openly linking repression of Uyghur religion and identity to “stability.” Marked escalation of indoctrination campaigns. - 2022, July 12–15 – Xinjiang Tour (Urumqi, Kashgar, Ili)
Xi visited museums and staged community events. He praised Uyghur culture only as “part of Chinese civilization,” stripping it of independent identity. The trip coincided with global condemnation of crimes against humanity in Xinjiang. - 2022, July – Urumqi International Land Port
Xi highlighted Xinjiang as a Belt and Road hub. Economic showcase contrasted with reports of forced labor fueling exports. - 2025, September 25 – Urumqi
Xi scheduled to attend 70th anniversary of the Xinjiang Uyghur “Autonomous Region.” A symbolic celebration of 70 years of annexation, repression, and systematic control.
