A GROUP of diplomats from nine countries, including Fiji, Mongolia and the Seychelles, visited Northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region last week to discover the beauty of this stunning part of China. They visited several iconic sites in Xinjiang, including the International Grand Bazaar in Urumqi, the world heritage site of Tianchi Lake, the Grape Valley in Turpan, and the ancient city of Kashgar. Xinjiang is a wonderous place with majestic scenery, friendly residents, and fully protected traditional culture, and it is worth being recommended to the whole world, the diplomats said. Anne Lafortune, ambassador of Seychelles to China, said Tianchi Lake is one of the most beautiful places she has ever seen, and she will happily act as an “ambassador” for Xinjiang, recommending it to her friends. Lafortune said she looks forward to more exchanges between the two countries in the future so that more tourists from Seychelles will visit Xinjiang. While visiting the ancient city of Kashgar, Tuvshin Badral, Mongolia’s ambassador to China, joined in experiencing the making of nang, a kind flatbread typical of the region. He said that Xinjiang’s food is varied and tastes great, adding that he hopes the two countries will have more food and cultural exchanges in the future. While visiting Turpan, Ben Yacoub Adel, a counselor with the Tunisian Embassy in China, said he could feel the optimism and friendliness of the people of Xinjiang, both in their homes and in the streets. In the ancient city of Kashgar, Luis Lopez, an Ecuadorian diplomat in China, was invited to dance with a young boy by the roadside. Lopez said he could see many fine qualities of Chinese culture in the peaceful and happy lives of the local people of all ethnic groups.(Xinhua) | 