Diversity protected

Campbell said he also witnessed the support given to religious sites in Xinjiang, which is home to many ethnic groups.

He said it is crucial to consider all the ethnic groups in a multi-ethnic country, as this contributes to the nation's prosperity and creativity. "This is something that we can see here," he added.

During a visit to the Xinjiang Islamic Institute in Urumqi, the envoys had in-depth exchanges with Abdureqip Tomurniyaz, president of the institute, learning about the students' curriculum and daily routines.

Ijaz Ahmad, minister at the Pakistani embassy in China, was drawn to the Uygur version of local newspaper Xinjiang Daily when he visited a reading room at the institute.

"We were really impressed with this institute, and it shows the remarkable efforts of the Chinese government (in terms of) how to preserve the culture, language and religious beliefs of the local people," he said.

Erika Lizardo, minister-counselor at the Peruvian embassy in China, was greatly impressed by efforts to preserve the Kizil Grottoes, one of the earliest large-scale Buddhist grotto sites in the country, and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

She praised China for embracing its diverse regions and the importance it places on preserving cultural heritage.

Arlindo Do Rosario, the Cape Verdean ambassador to China, said the trip to Xinjiang allowed him to witness the region's remarkable progress across various sectors.

He hailed the Chinese authorities' efforts to promote the well-being of the region's different ethnic groups.

"In addition, the interactions I had with local representatives and communities gave me a better understanding of the development policies implemented in the region, especially those aimed at respecting ethnic and cultural diversity," he added.