Xi stresses protecting cultural heritage after watching ethnic performance in Xinjiang

STORY: Xi watches ethnic performance in Xinjiang, stressing protecting cultural heritage DATELINE: July 17, 2022 LENGTH: 00:02:19 LOCATION: URUMQI, China CATEGORY: POLITICS/CULTURE STORYLINE: Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, watched a show of the Kirgiz ethnic minority epic Manas at the Museum of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on Wednesday morning. Xi also talked with the performers of the Manas, which has been inscribed as an intangible cultural heritage. Xi said the extensive and profound Chinese civilization is composed of outstanding cultures of various ethnic groups. A cultural heritage like the Manas is a treasure of both the ethnic minority and the Chinese nation, Xi said, urging better preservation and promotion efforts. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): SULAYHAN HASANBAY, Performer of the Manas "I was very excited and happy when I saw General Secretary Xi. He was very amiable. He talked with each of us, asking about the musical instruments in