URUMQI - Scholars from seven countries visited the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region from July 12 to 14 at the invitation of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

During the trip, eight scholars from France, Italy, Poland, New Zealand, Russia, Pakistan and Thailand visited various places across the autonomous region and interacted extensively with local residents.

"It is very good news that no violent terrorist activities have been reported in Xinjiang over the past three years," said Ruth Imberton, a researcher at Institut Schiller France, when visiting an exhibition on major terrorist cases in Urumqi.

Francesca Manenti, a researcher as the Centro Studi Internazionali in Italy, said the terrorist activities in Xinjiang in the past were similar to those that occurred in Europe years ago.

"But now, I see a rapidly developing and socially inclusive Xinjiang," Manenti said.

At a vocational education and training center in Turpan, they talked with trainees who had just had a law class.

"The teaching equipment here is pretty advanced," said Adam Ludwiczak, a board member of the Polish House. "I can tell that they are having a good time here."

Sultan Mahmood Hali, a commentator at the Pakistan Television Corporation, said that he is satisfied with the treatment of the local Muslims and the government's efforts to combat terrorism in the region.

"I've seen it with my owns eyes that the Chinese government respects the religious freedom of their people," Hali said while visiting a mosque. "As a Muslim myself, I condemn terrorism and religious extremism that pose a threat to Xinjiang."

Kavi Chongkittavorn, a researcher at the Institute of Security and International Studies, Chulalongkorn University of Thailand, took a high-speed train from Turpan to Urumqi. Recalling the memory of his last visit to Xinjiang 28 years ago, he said it was admirable that China invested so heavily to develop its western areas.

David Bromwich, president of the New Zealand China Friendship Society, said that it was necessary to take some measures, such as what Xinjiang is doing right now, to ensure the safety of the people.

"I'm going to tell more New Zealanders about what I saw from the visit, a real Xinjiang that they need to know," he said.

Xinhua