China is attributing artifacts from East Turkistan to China

China's Cultural Appropriation in East Turkistan

• China continues to forcibly attribute historical artifacts from East Turkistan to Chinese culture since its invasion
• A bronze knife dating from 2800-2600 BCE was recently discovered near Bortala region, which China claims without substantive evidence
• Chinese state media reported finding a Bronze Age cemetery spanning several decades (2600-1800 BCE)

ARCHAEOLOGICAL CLAIMS:

• The site covers approximately 12 square kilometers
• Includes central city location, central cemetery, and surrounding observation points
• Discovered through collaboration between Chinese social sciences and "Xinjiang" cultural heritage institutes

PROPAGANDA TACTICS:

• Chinese media claims the bronze knife is among China's oldest bronze artifacts
• Attempts to link artifacts to Chinese cultural narrative
• Part of broader strategy to manipulate historical narrative of East Turkistan

HISTORICAL CONTEXT:

• Consistent with China's ongoing cultural erasure of Uyghur history
• Previously reported archaeological expeditions in 2021 covered 80,000 square meters
• Researchers and propaganda organs fabricate false historical narratives supporting government policy

SIGNIFICANCE:

• Demonstrates systematic cultural appropriation
• Attempts to delegitimize indigenous cultural heritage
• Part of broader ethnic persecution strategy in East Turkistan