Through a cultural campaign themed “Xinjiang is a Wonderful Place,” China seeks to mask ongoing human rights violations in East Turkistan.

In an effort to whitewash its oppressive policies against the Uyghur population in East Turkistan, the Chinese government has launched a new propaganda campaign across Europe. The “Twelve Muqam Ensemble,” a performance group composed of Uyghur artists, was brought to several European cities as part of the campaign.

Between April 10 and 13, 2025, the ensemble performed in France and Hungary under the banner “新疆是个好地方” (“Xinjiang is a Wonderful Place”). The event, hosted in cooperation with the China Cultural Center in Paris, was presented as a showcase of Xinjiang’s cultural richness.

According to China News Service in a report dated April 12, 2025, the performances were well received by local audiences.

However, Uyghur activists and human rights groups denounce these performances as state-sponsored propaganda meant to divert attention from the ongoing abuses in the region.

Rushan Abbas: “Europe Must Not Enable China’s Whitewashing”

Rushan Abbas, Executive Director of the World Uyghur Congress, strongly criticized the events, saying:

“It is hypocritical for China to showcase Uyghur culture in Europe while simultaneously destroying it in our homeland. This is the same regime that criminalizes religious expression, demolishes mosques, bans our language, and imprisons our artists. Europe should not be complicit in this whitewashing.”

This marks the first large-scale cultural tour by Chinese authorities in Europe since 2017. While performances present a colorful and harmonious image, the reality in East Turkistan is defined by forced assimilation, surveillance, and cultural erasure.

Dilshat Sultan

April 21 2025