There was a real emphasis on cultural nationalism during Xi Jinping's recent inspection tour of Xinjiang. Part of his push to actively 'forge' (筑牢) the 'collective consciousness' (共同一体意识) of Zhonghua identity which is a signature contribution of XJP Thought 1/ In 2021 Xi called for the active creation of 'Chinese cultural symbols/images' shared by all ethnic groups & for the CCP to '...create Chinese cultural symbols and images with strong political character, rich connotation, profound meaning and high acceptance' 2/

1/5 Check out our latest research report and interactive website @ASPI_ICPC’s #Xinjiang_Data_Project. Over a year of work and literally thousands of primary sources later, we unpack Xinjiang’s governance mechanisms and modes of repression since 2014 xjdp.aspi.org.au/chart/ 2/5 There are many new findings here, including how Xi Jinping & other top party officials are strengthening grassroots surveillance & control mechanisms and turning to Maoist-style political campaigns in their pursuit of manufactured stability and ethnocultural homogenization.

The Sinophone internet is awash with short videos promoting Han-Uyghur inter-marriage. This one asserts that Xinjiang has long been a mixed race region and is now safe and home to many beautiful and eligible Uyghur women who will appreciate a doting Han husband This video asserts there are no major racial differences b/ Uyghurs & Han nor any scientific reasons why different minzu groups should not inter-marry. The only hurdles are culture & language. But don't worry: there are many Uyghur women proficient in the Han culture/language