The Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture is one of the most beautiful stops in Xinjiang. It is China’s gateway to Central Asia. Its capital is Gulja, or Yining in Chinese. It is located 500 kilometers west of Urumqi, on the border with Kazakhstan. Historically, it was a key point for caravans, and today, it is a crucial hub for trade. You could call it the “diamond in the king’s crown” or “the cream of the cream” of the Silk Road.

13 ETHNIC GROUPS LIVING TOGETHER

We visit a district in the city center called Six Star Street. It was designed by a German architect in 1934. The city planning is so practical that it later inspired other cities as well. Imagine a hexagonal spider web expanding outward, with all roads leading to the center. Good infrastructure, beautiful lighting, and colorful flowers blooming in every house’s courtyard… But what’s even more interesting is that it’s a showcase of cultural diversity.

There are 1,420 independent houses on six streets, with a total population of around 3,000. Russians, Kazakhs, Manchurians, Han Chinese, Uyghurs, Tatars, Tajiks, Uzbeks… People of different nationalities live on each street. The area is home to 13 different ethnic groups. The architecture of the houses reflects the culture of their residents. In one house, Uzbek manty is being cooked, while in the neighboring house, the smell of Russian bread fills the air. There are no divisions among them. They celebrate all holidays together. This allows the diversity and harmony in the country to be easily observed. It is a place where everything is livable…

ALL THE NOTES OF THE ACCORDION

In Six Star Street, there is also an interesting museum: the Accordion Museum. It hosts a special collection of 800 accordions. The world’s largest accordion is also here, measuring 3.06 meters in height. It turns out that the accordion, which everyone thinks belongs to the West, actually originated in China.

Inside, a music group of 12 people greets us for a mini performance. Each introduces themselves first. They are all from different ethnicities and have different jobs. However, they came together as a hobby. Dressed in their cultural attire, they offer a fantastic musical feast. They play compositions from different countries in turn. They finally bid us farewell with “Ciao Bella.” If you happen to be in Ili, don’t miss this feast.

THE MASTERS OF ARCHERY: THE SIBES

Leaving Six Star Street, we head to a district called Chapchal. This is the only district in China where the Sibes live collectively. There are 40,000 Sibes here, and globally, they number around 190,000. The Sibes have no relation to the Han Chinese. These people were sent westward to Mongolia by the Manchu Emperor Qianlong in 1764 to defend the border against Tsarist imperialism. After a difficult migration of 5,000 kilometers over 16 months, 5,050 of them settled in Ili. They practiced agriculture, opened irrigation canals, and brought life to the area. Their notable skill is archery.

The Chinese government has protected this district, and Sibe culture is carefully preserved. An archery school has also been established here. Champions emerge from this district. The state supports the publication of a newspaper in Sibe for the 40,000 residents, which has been in print since 1956. Many notable figures, including Mao Zedong, Deng Xiaoping, and Xi Jinping, have spoken to this newspaper. The message from the Chinese is clear: They respect every ethnic group and culture and make efforts to preserve them, as long as they do not get involved in terrorism.

ON THE IMPERIAL PATH…

Since Ili is a border region, it has always needed to be well protected throughout history. The Chinese administration appointed a general and 60,000 soldiers to this area. The general would be replaced every five years. Our next stop is the historic headquarters where the general stayed. Normally, the central gate would only be opened for the emperor, and guests would enter through the side gates. This included the empress. However, they open the central gate for us and allow us to walk the imperial path. While touring the headquarters, we encounter middle school students. As I try to greet them, they surround me, and I suddenly find myself in one of my favorite moments. May their paths be bright…

A NOTE TO OUR BUSINESSPEOPLE!

Now, let’s move on to the most critical point of the region. We leave Yining and travel 115 kilometers further west to the Horgos region on the border with Kazakhstan. Aydınlık readers read about this place in detail from Adnan Akfırat in recent months. Let me start by “borrowing” this part from his article:

“Horgos means ‘the place where camel caravans pass’ in Mongolian; in Kazakh, it means ‘the place where wealth accumulates.’”

And it truly is. Here, there is an International Border Cooperation Center, a free trade zone. You enter the area through passport control. The center was established in 2003 through an agreement between Kazakhstan and China, making it the first border cooperation between Beijing and a foreign country. The total area of the center is 5.6 square kilometers, with 3.43 square kilometers on Chinese soil and the rest in Kazakhstan. It houses many shopping centers, offering both wholesale and retail services, along with storage facilities. Commercial meetings and financial services are also available. Companies from various countries have opened stores here. Every Chinese citizen has a duty-free shopping limit of 8,000 yuan per day. They come here and take back goods by the truckload. Some Turkish companies have also started showing interest in the center, but we are still at the beginning. This place can feed all of us. Dear businesspeople, won’t you come and join?

A PORT WITHOUT THE SEA

Leaving the center, we head to the Horgos Border Gate. Here, a dry port similar to the one in Urumqi has been established, fully equipped with the latest technology. It is the largest port extending into Central Asia. Last year, the amount of goods transported reached 3 million tons. The number of tourists passing through exceeded 5 million. The 8,000-kilometer road stretching from Liaoningyang to St. Petersburg also passes through here. More importantly, this is where Kazakhstan’s Nurly Zhol project and China’s Belt and Road Initiative intersect. A new city called Nurtown is also being built on the Kazakh side. Thus, the region will become the heart of trade. Here’s your gateway to opportunities…

IN CONCLUSION

We have come to the end of our three-day article series. The summary is as follows: Our Chinese friends have shown us that the rights of all 56 ethnic groups living in the country are constitutionally guaranteed, that there is no discrimination between these groups and the Han Chinese, that freedom of belief is protected by the state, that historical wealth is preserved, that projects are created to keep cultural richness alive, that livable cities have been built with investments in the region, and that people have access to jobs, food, and modern homes. They presented numerous examples to demonstrate their sincerity on this matter. They debunked the false news produced by the Western media about the region, pixel by pixel. They listed the provocations the U.S. has carried out to create instability in China. They emphasized that their struggle is solely against terrorism.

As 22 journalists from 17 countries, we did not encounter any negative situations. Neither in our private conversations nor during our tours did we observe any adverse practices. We did not see any significant police presence either. The people are cheerful and quite talkative… But after visiting this place, you better understand how some people in Turkey are plotting against the Uyghurs. You realize that when someone mentions “East Turkestan,” it does not mean that the Uyghurs’ lives will improve. You understand that as long as Turkey listens to separatists disguised as ISIS members, China will have to close its doors. However, there is so much work to be done here. A Turkish businessperson said, “When someone in Turkey brings up the Uyghur issue, our business here faces difficulties.” And they are right.

Uyghurs are a great opportunity for us to develop good relations between Turkey and China. Their lives, beliefs, and culture are the same as ours. We share so many common words that you can easily communicate with someone who doesn’t speak Turkish. Moreover, they live at the heart of the Silk Road. This is the fastest-growing region in the world. Turkey should quickly turn its attention here, both as a state and private sector. Otherwise, someone else will take our place.

THE BLESSING OF THE TIAN SHAN MOUNTAINS

Sayram Lake is located within the borders of the Bortala Mongol Autonomous Prefecture at an altitude of 2,073 meters. It is an oasis among the Tian Shan Mountains. The lake is 90 kilometers in circumference and 90 meters deep. It is so clear that you can see up to 12 meters deep with the naked eye. Sayram means blessing, grace, gratitude, and abundance. Without exaggeration, I was amazed.

We attended a conference titled “Combating Terrorism and Extremism.” I asked Professor Wang Jiang, who was giving the presentation, “What are your criteria for designating a group as a terrorist organization? When will you recognize the PYD/YPG in Syria as a terrorist organization?” At the end of the conference, I was promised a more detailed interview on this topic. I will share the answers soon.

The city of Ili was once under Soviet Union administration. The hotel we stayed at was once the building of the Soviet Consulate General. It now serves as a hotel owned by the municipality.