Uyghur Rights Group Flags Concerns Over U.S.-China Tourism Summit (Uyghur News Recap: October 20-27, 2023)

October 28, 2023 | Voice of America | By Kasim Kashgar

The Uyghur Human Rights Project (UHRP), a Washington-based organization, has raised concerns about the U.S. Department of Commerce’s co-hosting of the China-U.S. Tourism Leadership Summit in 2024, citing potential risks associated with tourism cooperation with the Chinese government. This concern arises as Xinjiang experiences a significant tourism surge, generating substantial revenue during recent holidays. The organization, led by Executive Director Omer Kanat, sent a letter to Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, expressing apprehensions about U.S.-China tourism cooperation. The group has requested a meeting with Raimondo to discuss its concerns in detail. UHRP alleges that Chinese authorities misuse international tourism to conceal and support alleged crimes against humanity in Xinjiang, calling for public condemnation and action to address these issues. Despite multiple media inquiries, the Department of Commerce has not responded to Voice of America’s requests regarding the concerns raised by UHRP.

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