In his keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the International Forum on the History and Future of Xinjiang, China, Pan Yue, head of the National Ethnic Affairs Commission, underlined the importance of understanding Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in the broader context of Chinese culture. Edited excerpts of his remarks follow:
Xinjiang boasts a rich tradition and coexistence of diverse cultures and religions. In addition to numerous Buddhist sites, a Zoroastrian fire altar from 2,500 years ago was found in Tashkurgan County. In the ancient city of Milan in Ruoqiang County, a Greek-style “winged angel” Buddhist mural from were unearthed together from a 1,300-year-old Nestorian monastery in Turpan. Manichaean worship scenes from 1,000 years ago were discovered in the murals of the ancient city of Gaochang in Turpan. In the Tang Dynasty (618-907) city known as Dun, now in Qitai County, a Nestorian church from 1,200 year ago was found, whose murals depict the scene of Jesus entering Jerusalem on a donkey. Inside the city, an ancient Roman-style bathhouse from 1,000 years ago was also excavated. These ancient cultures, together with Islamic culture later, have merged into the rich religious culture of Xinjiang.
