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BEIJING, July 22-- The white paper on Xinjiang that was just released by the Chinese government helps the world learn more about the Chinese autonomous region while beating misinterpretations and distortions with hard facts, overseas experts have said. The white paper titled "Historical Matters Concerning Xinjiang," which was issued on Sunday, makes it clear that the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in northwestern China has long been an inseparable part of the Chinese territory, and never "East Turkistan," and that multiple religions have long co-existed there with Islam being neither an indigenous nor the sole belief system of the Uygurs. Sonia Bressler, a French writer and sinologist, said the document elaborates on Xinjiang's history and reality, exposing the truth there and inspiring especially the Westerners misled by preconceptions. Bressler, who has traveled around Xinjiang, said China has 56 ethnic groups, and Xinjiang is an example of ethnic harmony. Khalid Abdul Azizi al-Binali, chief of the Research and Studies Department of Qatar News Agency, said the white paper clarifies both the historical inheritance and cultural tradition of Xinjiang, and enables a correct and in-depth understanding by people. According to Nabil Al Sharabi, a researcher with the Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue, the document, with detailed facts of Xinjiang, refutes the ill-intended accusations against China as groundless. | 
