XINING- In the second week of July, a team of seven journalists from various esteemed Iranian news agencies visited Xining city in Qinghai province, China.

Our journey began with minimal information available online about Xining. None of us had prior knowledge about the city, and based on what we had heard, we expected to encounter a small, underdeveloped town. However, as our plane descended towards Xining, the tall buildings came into view, quickly dispelling our misconceptions.

Xining, with a population of approximately 2 million, is more populous than many European capitals. The city's attractions and those of Qinghai province include a diverse population, high altitude, consistently cool climate, the source of three major rivers, and abundant hydro, wind, and solar energy resources.

Our initial encounters with the locals highlighted their hospitality and kindness, qualities that are very important to me as a traveler. Contrary to our initial mistaken beliefs, the city was remarkably clean, with fresh, cool air.

Qinghai is also a sister province to Iran’s Ardabil province. During the Iran-China Economic Development Conference held in Tehran in July 2023, three cooperation agreements were signed between Ardabil and Qinghai in the fields of "clean energy," "agriculture," and "friendly relations and urban management."

China’s cultural diversity and numerous ethnic groups have led to the implementation of various policies to maintain unity. The government strives to keep these groups together through comprehensive laws.

Our visit to Xining began with a meeting between Iranian journalists and Ms. Ying, Deputy Director of the Provincial Foreign Affairs Office, along with several Chinese journalists. Ms. Ying stated that media plays a crucial role in promoting friendly exchanges and mutual cooperation. Both Iran and China, located in Asia, have been making efforts to expand their relations based on the concept of a new comprehensive strategic partnership.

Coincidentally, our first day aligned with the 23rd Tour of the Qinghai Lake International Road Cycling Race, which featured an Iranian cyclist, Saeid Safarzadeh. Our Chinese companions explained that the purpose of this annual race is to promote Qinghai province.

Our next destination was the historic Dongguan Mosque in Xining, one of the four major mosques in northwest China. Built in 1380, the mosque accommodates 2,000 Chinese Muslims for daily prayers, with the number rising to 20,000 on Fridays and over 40,000 during religious festivals such as Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.

Due to the limited space within the mosque, the Chinese government allows Muslims to form prayer rows in surrounding streets, with police and civil servants assisting in maintaining order, making the mosque a symbol of Muslim solidarity in China. The mosque’s custodian explained that Islam was introduced to China by Iranian merchants in the 7th century.

On the second day, we visited Qinghai Lake, the largest saltwater lake in China. The lake is a crucial stopover for migrating birds and home to the brown-headed gull. Only one type of fish inhabits the lake, and due to its low reproductive rate, fishing is illegal. Besides a small area designated for visitors, the rest of the lake is off-limits to tourists.

Qinghai province also hosts the largest solar power plant and the largest hybrid hydro-solar power plant in China. Construction of the solar power plant in Gonghe began in 2012.

Experts noted that the plant has transformed the local vegetation, reduced wind intensity, provided nesting sites for birds under the solar panels, and supported grazing for sheep. In an interview with Chinese media, I emphasized that China’s move towards clean energy benefits not only China but the entire planet, and other countries, including Iran, should adopt this admirable practice.

On the third day, we visited Salar City, built by the Chinese government for the Salar ethnic group, who migrated to the region centuries ago and practice Islam. Roqiyeh, our guide at the Salar National Park, explained that the city’s architectural style combines elements from  West Asia (Middle East), Tibet, and Salar traditions.

The city features numerous mosques, including a 150-year-old mosque and another established by the ruling Chinese party for the Salar Muslims. The Salar's traditional dish, Lamian, has gained national fame and across the country, about 20,000 Salar people are employed in making Lamian, generating approximately six billion Yuan annually. The Salar also produce unique handicrafts displayed in the city's digital handicraft center.

Qinghai is notable for its ethnic diversity, and efforts have been made to establish educational and research institutions that cater to various cultural backgrounds. One such institution is Minzu University in Qinghai, the first modern ethnic university on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

Located in Xining, the university spans 450,000 square meters and comprises 22 faculties offering diverse programs. Established in 1949 by Mao Zedong, the university initially focused on Chinese literacy and gradually evolved into a higher education center.

During our visit, the university president explained the rationale behind its ethnic focus, emphasizing the need for diverse solutions in a country with numerous ethnic groups. He mentioned that the university aims to provide general education for all and to preserve and promote the cultures of different ethnicities, with half of the student body comprising ethnic minorities.

Qinghai Minzu University values exchanges with domestic and international universities and research institutions and collaborates with several universities worldwide. The Dean of the Faculty of Literature and Media expressed interest in potential cooperation with Iranian universities through governmental channels.

One of the highlights of the fourth day was our visit to the Qinghai Natural Resources Museum, the first of its kind in China, showcasing dinosaur fossils, beautiful mineral stones, and the history of the Tibetan Plateau.

On the fifth and final full day in Xining, we attended the opening of the 25th Qinghai Investment and Trade Fair for Green Development, which focused on new and clean energy, as well as cultural and scientific advancements.

The highlight of our trip was marked by a visit to the China News Service office in Qinghai. Ms. Pan Yujie, an English-speaking journalist and one of our Chinese companions, had previously written an article about the discovery of a historical Sassanian coin in China, reflecting the ancient ties between Iran and China.

In our meeting with Mr. Hu Zhongyi, director of China News Service, this article was discussed, highlighting the historical connections between the two countries and the need to continue fostering these relationships.

In conclusion, despite the subtle negative propaganda in some Western media about China and its people, my overall impression from this trip was that China is a beautiful country with hospitable and kind people. This resonates with Iranians, who are also often misrepresented in Western media.

Furthermore, China’s leadership in moving towards clean energy is commendable, and the world should learn from China’s experiences to protect the environment and our planet.