China has a history of welcoming foreign delegations to Xinjiang to share its narrative about life for Uyghurs. Lately, however, an unsettling development has occurred.
For the first time, a delegation of Turkish journalists visited East Turkestan, coordinated with the Chinese Consulate General and the Türkiye-China Friendship Foundation. After their week-long trip, they appeared on Turkish television, publicly disputing allegations of genocide against Uyghurs.
This moment isn’t just a win for Beijing; it feels like a betrayal, considering Turkey’s close ethnic and historical connections to the Uyghur community. One might have hoped for a unified moral stance from Türkiye. Instead, what we witnessed was submission to Beijing’s carefully crafted narrative.
One journalist involved in this controversial visit claimed to showcase Uyghurs joyfully dancing on the streets as evidence of their happiness. But, I think anyone who understands human behavior knows that such spontaneous group dances hardly happen unless it’s during weddings or festivals. The orchestrated nature of these performances, especially under stringent surveillance, raises questions. The absence of a visible organizer just reinforces the idea that this “natural” display is, in fact, contrived.
Another journalist pointed to bilingual signs and Uyghur-language newspapers as proof that the Uyghur language isn’t prohibited. Yet, visible signage can’t replace everyday usage; the framework for education in the language is being systematically dismantled. The official use of Uyghur is restricted, and media that exists isn’t about preservation, but more about spreading propaganda aimed at Chinese speakers.
These Turkish reporters also denied any existence of concentration camps in Urumqi, which raises eyebrows—what else would you expect from a government-sponsored tour?
Even the Chinese government has acknowledged the presence of “vocational training centers,” which many see as concentration camps, since about 2018, shortly after they were established.
Official claims about “graduated students” remain unverified. Meanwhile, mosques stand vacant, public spaces lie empty, and Uyghur neighborhoods continue to shrink. Evidence of these camps includes satellite imagery, leaked documents, and, significantly, accounts from exiled Uyghurs. In Istanbul alone, countless Uyghurs report having missing relatives.
Perhaps the most disheartening statement from the Turkish journalists was their assertion that Uyghurs are so content they wouldn’t move to Turkey “even if tied down.” If that were the case, why do we see over 30,000 Uyghurs registered with Turkish immigration authorities?
China has historically used delegations from authoritarian governments to strengthen its claims, but Turkish journalists hold a different significance. Coming from a place with a tradition of open media and democracy, their involvement in this propaganda represents a troubling shift for both Beijing and the Uyghurs.
Such instances of betrayal between allied nations aren’t uncommon in history, but witnessing this happen amid grave human rights abuses is particularly painful. Observing a nation that once held vast territories submit to a tyrant is, quite frankly, embarrassing.
If the Turkish delegation’s trip illustrated the lack of integrity among some, it also highlighted the strength of the Uyghurs, from everyday citizens who uphold their faith under threats to intellectuals like Ilham Tohti and Abdukadir Jalalidin, who risked their lives to speak the truth.
China could host countless visits and organize numerous propaganda events, but no amount of staging can obscure the reality of genocide.
History will remember those who resisted and the voices of the victims, rather than the hollow words of opportunists. The Turkish delegation’s televised program might have entertained producers, but for the Uyghurs, it served as another painful reminder of betrayal from those they once felt connected to through blood and culture.
Ultimately, China will face accountability for its actions. The Uyghur people will emerge stronger from their suffering. What we seek from the global community is responsibility, not mere sympathy. It’s essential to confront cruelty with justice; those who fail will be judged not just by history but also by their own humanity.
Let the Turkish visitors take their free meals and promotional videos. Their words may fade away, but the truth will persist.
