On July 16, Chinese Embassy in Canada and the Government of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region jointly held an online exchange meeting themed on “Xinjiang is a Wonderful Land”. Erkin Tuniyaz, Member of the Standing Committee of CPC Xinjiang Committee and Vice Governor of the People's Government of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, made a keynote speech at the meeting. Li Xuejun, Deputy Director of the Standing Committee of the People's Congress of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and others were present. Ambassador Cong Peiwu attended and made the opening and closing remarks. Personages from various circles of Canada, including think tanks, business, culture, science and education, ambassadors of several countries to Canada, representatives from both Chinese and Canadian media outlets including OMNI Television, The Hill Times, TVO, Ottawa Life Magazine, La Presse, Mingpao, Xinhua News Agency, CCTV, China News Service and China Daily were present.

Erkin Tuniyaz, Member of the Standing Committee of CPC Xinjiang Committee and Vice Governor of the People's Government of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, introduced Xinjiang’s achievements in social stability, high quality economic development, a complete victory in poverty alleviation, significant progress in people’s livelihood, solidarity among ethnic groups and religious harmony. He said, since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has, under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee, earnestly implemented the CPC's policies on governing Xinjiang for the new era. Taking people’s aspiration for a better life as the goal, Xinjiang has made unprecedented achievements in economic and social development and the improvement in people’s livelihood, enabling people of all ethnic groups to feel more satisfied, happy, and secure. The annual per capita disposable income for urban residents in 2020 stood at 34,838 yuan, which was 2.41 times of that in 2010, and that for rural residents reached 14,056 yuan, which was 2.82 times of that in 2010. All of the 3.0649 million rural people who used to live below the current poverty line have been lifted out of poverty. No terrorist incident has occurred in Xinjiang for four years and seven months. Xinjiang has never been more prosperous than it is now. Xinjiang has done everything in an open and aboveboard manner, with a simple goal – serving the people of all ethnic groups in the region. However, recently, regardless of the happy life of Xinjiang people, the US and other anti-China forces in the Western world have been unscrupulously stigmatized and demonized Xinjiang, and even hyped up “genocide” and “crimes against humanity”, which is arguably the biggest frame-up in human’s history. A lie is still a lie even if repeated a thousand times, which fails to hide the fact that all people enjoy a happy life in this prosperous region, and fails to impede Xinjiang’s progress. As a Chinese saying goes, “To see something once is better than to hear about it a hundred times.” Erkin Tuniyaz said, “We sincerely invite all of you to visit Xinjiang, travel all across the region, feel the hospitality of local people, enjoy scenic landscapes in Xinjiang, and talk to local people in person. I am sure you will see a prosperous, harmonious, stable Xinjiang with solidarity and harmony among ethnic groups and religions, and people living and working in peace and contentment.”

Ambassador Cong Peiwu said that, Xinjiang is a wonderful land enjoying social security and stability as well as social harmony and development, a wonderful land with sustained economic growth and improved well-being, and a wonderful land enjoying the freedom of religious belief and cultural communication. Recently, some politicians, scholars, and media outlets in Western countries including Canada have constantly hyped up Xinjiang-related issues, maliciously spreaded lies, and played many anti-China farces. Under the banner of " representing the people", they have pushed the parliament to pass motions stating that there are "genocide" and "forced labor" in Xinjiang, smearing and attacking China totally based on lies. Using "judicial justice" as a cover, they have deliberately fabricated the so-called "Uygur special court" and made false accusations against China. Usurping the name of the "international community", they have resorted to "microphone diplomacy" on Xinjiang-related issues and interfered in China's internal affairs on multilateral occasions. The false accusations are merely political manipulations of a few politicians who are motivated by selfish political gains, and definitely cannot represent the vast majority of the people. The US and Western countries have terrible human rights records, but they are accustomed to acting as "human rights judges" and making irresponsible remarks on the human rights situation in other countries. Not long ago, Canada and a handful of countries engaged in a China-related "joint statement" at the United Nations Human Rights Council, again using Xinjiang-related issues to stir up troubles. Such "small circles" against China simply cannot represent the international community. It is believed that through today’s meeting, everyone will know Xinjiang better. It is hoped that more people will go visit Xinjiang and experience a real Xinjiang.

At the online event, short videos themed on “Xinjiang is a Wonderful Land” and the happy life of ordinary people in Xinjiang called “One Day of A Xinjiang Native” were played. A Representative of Xinjiang women, a trainee who has completed his studies in education and training center, a cotton farmer, parents whose children go to the boarding school, religious personages, and a businessman who once worked outside Xinjiang shared on the site or via videolink how the Chinese government’s policies on governing Xinjiang benefit the region, and how people there live and work in peace and contentment.

Relevant officials of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region answered questions such as the business environment in Xinjiang, the changes in population and life of ethnic groups, tourism development, education and training centers, and root causes of terrorism.