By Uyghur Times Staff
August 13, 2024
In a disturbing show of complicity, a delegation of prominent Chinese tech companies recently visited Xinjiang (Uyghur homeland) as part of a government-organized propaganda tour. The delegation, under the banner “Red Homeland Xinjiang Tour of Beijing Internet Enterprises” (北京网络企业红色故土新疆行), was welcomed in Urumqi by key Chinese Communist Party (CCP) officials, including Xinjiang Party Secretary Ma Xingrui (马兴瑞) and Chairman Erken Tuniyaz (艾尔肯·吐尼亚孜). This visit, framed as an exploration of economic cooperation and digital development in the region, is yet another attempt by the CCP to whitewash its ongoing genocide against the Uyghur people.
Xinjiang’s Party Secretary Ma Xingrui requested their support for Party efforts in Xinjiang, Xinjiang Daily, the party mouthpiece of the so-called Xinjiang government, reported on August 14, 2024.
The tour’s participants include influential tech giants like Sohu (搜狐), iQIYI (爱奇艺), Weibo (微博), JD.com (京东), TikTok (抖音), Kuaishou (快手), Meituan (美团), Huawei (华为), Tencent (腾讯), Baidu (百度), Xiaomi (小米), and Alibaba (阿里巴巴). These companies, with vast economic power and global reach, are playing a crucial role in supporting the CCP’s narrative, attempting to portray Xinjiang as a region thriving under China’s control, while ignoring the brutal repression and cultural erasure occurring within its borders.
Propaganda in the Face of Genocide
The so-called Xinjiang government has intensified its efforts to counter international criticism by inviting high-profile Chinese companies to the region, using their public influence to push its “Beautiful Xinjiang” propaganda campaign. The reality, however, is far from beautiful. While Uyghurs continue to face mass detention, forced labor, and cultural genocide, the CCP is desperate to repair its tarnished global reputation and mitigate the economic fallout caused by its human rights abuses.
The presence of these tech firms in Xinjiang is particularly alarming given their deep ties to China’s economic landscape and public influence. By participating in this tour, they are aiding the CCP’s strategy to obscure the reality of genocide and present a façade of stability and prosperity. The government’s rhetoric about “economic opportunities” and “high-quality development” in Xinjiang is a thinly veiled attempt to distract from the atrocities being committed against the Uyghur population.
Tech Giants Supporting Oppression
During the meeting, executives from companies like Tencent, Huawei, and Alibaba expressed their eagerness to expand their business operations in Xinjiang, highlighting areas such as digital infrastructure, cultural tourism, and the integration of “East-to-West Computing” (东数西算). These initiatives, touted as promoting mutual benefits and regional growth, are nothing more than a cover for deeper integration into the CCP’s oppressive surveillance state.
The fact that these companies are actively participating in this whitewashing campaign is a chilling reminder of how deeply embedded they are in the CCP’s authoritarian apparatus. By aligning with the government’s narrative, these corporations are not only complicit in the oppression of Uyghurs but are also reaping economic rewards from their collaboration.
