From cultural promotion to e-commerce: CPPCC member's evolving efforts for Xinjiang's development

Henizat Tohti, a member of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) from northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous region, has shifted his focus from cultural relics onto foreign trade and e-commerce when preparing this year's proposals for the upcoming "two sessions."

The "two sessions" are the annual meetings of China's highest organ of state power, the National People's Congress (NPC), and the top political advisory body, the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).This year, the third session of the 14th NPC is scheduled to open on March 5, while the third session of the 14th CPPCC National Committee is set to begin on March 4.

Henizat, also general manager of Xinjiang Pomegranate Spiritual and Cultural Media Co., Ltd., has been dedicated to promoting his hometown since he served as the political advisor.

He welcomed everyone to travel to Xinjiang and record memorable moments with videos in 2023, while he suggested establishing a global strategy to tell stories about Xinjiang's cultural relics and put them under the international spotlight in 2024.

"Many of cultural relics and historic sites in Xinjiang are in the form of ruins. When you visit them, you can just see some remains. However, the digital restoration technology, coupled with other technologies, will enable visitor to see the original images of the relics. It plays an important and decisive role in cultural spread. With the digital restoration technology, we can tour the country and even the world to stage our exhibition," said Henizat.

Last year, Henizat participated in more than 20 surveys in over 10 cities and prefectures in Xinjiang, witnessing the effective preservation and utilization of many cultural relics.

However, Henizat turned his eyes to e-commerce and foreign trade this year, as the China (Xinjiang) Pilot Free Trade Zone, which was established in November 2023, has brought unprecedented opportunities for the region to expand opening up westwards.

Prior to his journey to Beijing, Henizat visited Charymuhammet Shallyyev, director of the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Institute, to solicit some advice for his proposals.

"He introduced to me some of the main directions of the institute's development in the Central Asian region, which was highly consistent with some of the content of my own research. I can write my own proposal better referring to the directions he introduced to me," said Henizat.

"I've prepared three proposals. I think this year's two sessions will be more solid than the previous two years', and I will be better-prepared. I will definitely take my best proposals to the two sessions in Beijing this year," he said.

From cultural promotion to e-commerce: CPPCC member's evolving efforts for Xinjiang's development

From cultural promotion to e-commerce: CPPCC member's evolving efforts for Xinjiang's development

Nicaragua's co-foreign minister Valdrack Jaentschke has warned that militarism must never be allowed to rise again, as Japan's recent moves to lift its arms export ban and revise the pacifist Constitution continue to draw international concern.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the opening of the Tokyo Trials, where Japan's Class-A war criminals from World War II were brought to justice.

In an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN), Valdrack Jaentschke voiced his concern that today's world order is being undermined by interventionism and other challenges.

"It is necessary for us to remember that after the end of World War II, countries worked hard to build a new international order based on international law. However, regrettably, more than 80 years later, we are seeing that this once explored and attempted order is being challenged by interventionism, a confrontational mindset, and tendencies like 'might makes right.' These are precisely the conditions that gave rise to fascism and militarism in the past, which ultimately led to the tragedy of World War II," he said.

He said the international community has a responsibility to pursue a new international order -- one fundamentally grounded in peace.

"Looking back at the history more than eight decades ago and comparing it with today's reality, it is our responsibility to recognize that the world should, and must, build a new international order that is more just, fairer, rooted in international law, based on a logic of mutual benefit and shared success, and fundamentally grounded in peace," said the minister.

"Today, as we revisit the Tokyo Trials, it is meant to remind the world that such a tragedy must never be repeated -- and that we must do everything in our power to prevent it from happening again. We must stop that dark world -- born from militarism, interventionism, and fascism -- from ever returning," he said.

Nicaraguan FM warns of militarism revival