China’s Xinjiang invites overseas media to annual political meetings for first time as it aims to improve image

Reporters from news outlets in Hong Kong, Singapore, Turkey, Indonesia, Kazakhstan attend ‘two sessions’ events in Urumqi but face limits on coverage

In another first, diplomats from eight foreign embassies also take part in the region’s key political event of the year

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Representatives from foreign embassies attend the opening ceremonies of Xinjiang’s regional “two sessions”, which opened on Monday at the People’s Hall of Xinjiang in Urumqi. Photo: Dang Yuanyue

Published: 4:00pm, 3 Feb 2024Updated: 4:54pm, 3 Feb 2024

As Xinjiang held its annual “two sessions” political meetings this week, the far western region tried to open up to outsiders by inviting overseas media and diplomats to the opening ceremonies of its advisory body and legislature.

But only a select few got a look behind the curtain.

The annual sessions of the political advisory body and legislature of the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region began on Monday at the People’s Hall of Xinjiang in the regional capital Urumqi.

It is the first time the region has invited delegations from outside mainland China to attend its key political event of the year, according to the Xinjiang government, which is aiming to improve its international image amid allegations of human rights abuses and forced labour.

Xinjiang is home to 25.85 million people, of which 14.93 million are members of ethnic minority groups, including Uygurs and Kazakhs.

Various media outlets were invited to take part in a media tour to Urumqi to cover a handful of events hosted by local authorities, including the opening ceremonies of the annual meetings of the region’s advisory body and legislature.