CHINA, Sept. 17 -- AFTER I participated in the Xinjiang Friendship and Exchange Conference in Urumqi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, from September 5th to 9th, 2026, alongside notable international attendees, I found it evident that African countries, particularly those in the East Africa Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) economic regions, as well as other parts of the world, have much to learn.

Why? The Xinjiang debate is often seen as a clash of political narratives, especially for those unfamiliar with the regions economy and development strategies. However, a deeper look reveals an intelligence gap: our difficulty understanding how development operates in a complex geographical and economic environm...