The exiled government of East Turkistan condemns international media participation in China’s summit in Xinjiang

The East Turkistan Government-in-Exile (ETGE) strongly condemned the participation of international media outlets in the 6th World Media Summit (WMS) held in Urumqi, Xinjiang.

ETGE argued that the summit, organized by China’s state-controlled Xinhua news agency, was a campaign designed to obscure and whitewash the ongoing campaign of colonization, occupation and genocide against the native Uyghur and other Turkic peoples of Eastern Turkestan. Serves as a tremendous promotional tool.

According to ETGE, the involvement of these media organizations has inadvertently provided credibility to a regime that is trying to systematically erase the cultural, ethnic, and religious identity of the people of East Turkistan under the pretext of media cooperation and technological advancement.

ETGE claimed that Urumqi was the center of one of the most brutal colonial campaigns in modern history, where millions of Uyghurs and other Turkic peoples were subjected to mass internment, forced labour, forced assimilation and genocide.

Dr. Mamtimin Ala, President of ETGE, said, “It was disappointing that these prestigious media organizations decided to participate in a Chinese propaganda event. Their presence provided undue legitimacy to China’s colonial and genocidal policies in East Turkestan.

“By participating in this summit, these media organizations risk becoming complicit in the spread of China’s false narratives,” said Dr. Jurat Obul, ETGE’s Minister of Communications and Information.

“It is imperative that they refocus their efforts on accurately reporting the atrocities taking place in East Turkestan and standing in solidarity with those suffering under China’s genocide and colonial occupation.”

Furthermore, the summit’s theme, “Artificial Intelligence and Media Transformation”, raises significant concerns regarding China’s use of AI technologies as tools of surveillance and propaganda.

ETGE warned that the Chinese regime is taking advantage of AI to continue its repressive agenda, manipulating information and furthering its campaign of oppression against the Uyghur and other Turkic peoples. This strategic use of technology to distort reality and spread false stories is a dangerous strategy that global media must critically evaluate.

ETGE stressed that the crisis in East Turkestan goes beyond mere human rights violations; It was a carefully planned campaign of colonization, occupation, ethnic cleansing and genocide.

It added, “The timing of this World Media Summit was particularly significant, taking place just days after the 75th anniversary of China’s brutal invasion of East Turkestan on October 12, 1949, which sought to whitewash its crimes. And exposes the regime’s relentless efforts to manipulate global perception.”

ETGE warned that such incidents were part of China’s strategy to legitimize its colonial occupation and obscure the true nature of its genocidal policies.

ETGE urges global media to live up to their moral responsibility towards truth. It called on these media organizations to highlight the harsh realities of China’s genocidal actions in East Turkistan and fiercely advocate for justice, transparency, and the dignity of oppressed people.

The East Turkestan Government-in-Exile (ETGE) is the legitimate representative of the people of East Turkestan. ETGE advocates for the restoration of East Turkistan’s sovereignty and works to end China’s campaign of colonization, genocide, and occupation in East Turkistan.