In reversal, China seeks to preserve Kashgar’s Old City, heart of Uyghur culture

Xinjiang’s highest legislative body has made a complete turnaround by issuing new regulations to preserve Kashgar’s Old City, the heart of Uyghur culture, RFA reported yesterday.

Previously, CCP authorities had ordered the city to be demolished and rebuilt, with only a small section preserved for tourism.

The new measures, which will be implemented on May 1, have been criticized by activists and experts for Chinese hypocrisy, believing the regulations are designed to benefit tourism investors and divert attention from Beijing’s mistreatment of the 11 million mostly Muslim Uyghurs.

Since 2008, China has already demolished 85% of Kashgar’s ancient quarter and relocated thousands of residents to newer “earthquake-resistant houses,” as stated in a June 2020 report by the Uyghur Human Rights Project (UHRP) on the destruction of the Old City, once a crucial trading hub on the Silk Road.

Since 2017, approximately 1.8 million Uyghurs have been forcibly detained in concentration camps, where they endure forced labor, mistreatment, and violations of their human rights.