The urban renewal project of Kashgar, one of most important centers of Turkish history, launched by Chinese government in 2015 and aimed to be accomplished in 2015 has ruined severely to historical heritage of the province. There are several claims surrounding around that Chinese authorities see this project as an opportunity to systematically destroy the historical city’s texture and cultural heritage.

 
Located on piedmont of Tian Shan, Kashgar with its traditional bazaars, architecture and historical streets makes one feel that he is having a historical tour back to centuries ago. 

 
Well-known Turkish Islamic thinkers like Yusuf Has Hacib and Mahmood al-Kashgari had lived in in the city where their tombs are still in the border of Kashgar which makes the city still important for all Muslims. Kashgar is now in Xinjiang autonomous region.

 
Kashgar was severely harmed after the earthquake in 2003, thousands lost their homes. This pushed Chinese government to take the initiative for urban renewal and eight ministries prepared a five-year renovation plan which includes destruction of 49083 houses in 28 different neighbors. After 2010, destruction machines have become indispensable parts of Xinjiang neighbors. So far, 65 thousand houses were eliminated and 220 thousand Muslim Uighurs have been forced to migrate.

 
Although there are serious claims that the plan has ruined the city’s historical heritage, Chinese officials are of the opinion that the renovation plan does not harm the city. However, public opinion in Xinjiang considers the plan another plot against Muslim minority. 

KUZEY NEWS AGENCY