I had planned to enter China as part of my world tour, but this experience turned out to be far more challenging than I had anticipated. When I entered Chinese territory from the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, where Uyghur people reside, the difficulties I encountered and the experiences I had deeply affected me. In this article, I want to share with you what it means to be Turkish in China and the painful story I lived through in the Xinjiang region. If you are planning to visit China one day, it is worth reading this article.
Entering China: The Difficult Process at the Border
When I entered China from the Xinjiang region, the first challenge I faced occurred at border control. I was subjected to a detailed check for 6 hours, ranging from every single photo on my computer to every contact in my phone book. At first, I attributed this to China's strict security measures, but things became even more complicated. This difficult process at the border gave me the first clue about what my days in China would be like.
The Challenges I Faced in Khorgos
After crossing the border, I reached the city of Khorgos and found a hostel there. I was greeted with a smile until the attendant saw my passport. She warned me by shouting "TURKEY" and suddenly the atmosphere changed completely. With the help of a few Kazakh men, I managed to get the room after an hour of arguing. However, towards morning, my door was forced open. Two police officers and two civilians entered my room by force and seized my green passport. Despite explaining that I had a visa and had entered the country legally, my passport, bag, computer, and phone were inspected for 3 hours.
During this process, when I wanted to call the Turkish consulate, they claimed that the number starting with China’s area code was not a Chinese number. At the end of three hours, I was told that I needed to shave my beard and pass through the Xinjiang region quickly. When they returned my passport, I began to realize that things would not go well for me in China.
The Painful Realities I Experienced in the Xinjiang Region
When I started playing the ukulele on the streets, people began to talk and chat with me. Most thought I was American. When they found out where I was from, their reactions changed. In the following days, I started answering those who asked where I was from by saying, "My name is (Oguz) Khan. I'm not a terrorist." But every time, they would shout "TURKEY" and move away from me. I tried to explain that we spoke the same language, came from the same bloodline, and that our ancestors fought together on these lands, but it was in vain. I realized they knew nothing about Turks and Turkey. While I was trying to understand what made them think this way, people told me that approaching me would bring trouble upon them and they ran away from me.
I started telling those who asked where I was from, "Brother, don't ask this question, you don't want to talk to me." They would walk away quietly, saying, "He's Turkish." After spending three nights on the street and two nights at the police station, I realized I couldn't stay here. I left sadly, but these experiences shook me deeply.
Conclusion: The Difficulty of Being Turkish in China
Being Turkish in China, especially in the Xinjiang region, is not easy at all. The difficulties I experienced, the pressure on Uyghur Turks, and the painful realities of the Xinjiang region show how sensitive and difficult visiting this region is. The experiences I shared in this article may serve as a warning to those planning to visit China. Considering the difficulties faced by Uyghur Turks, I recommend that anyone thinking of visiting this region be careful. Enjoy watching.
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