KARAMAY: Over 40 international experts, scholars, diplomats, and journalists attended the four-day cultural communication event “Gathering in the Oil City, Enjoying City Tours, and Admiring the City’s Charm” in Karamay, celebrating 70 years of oil exploration. Organised under China’s cultural exchange initiative, the programme featured thematic discussions and immersive city tours.
The event was inaugurated by Ma Xueliang, Secretary of the CPC Karamay Municipal Committee. Chen Xueliang, Deputy Head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Committee of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, also addressed the gathering, saying that Karamay’s development offers a vivid window into Xinjiang’s transformation, innovation, and commitment to open exchange.
Mr Li Wuzhou, Deputy Head of the CICG Centre for Europe and Africa, presided over the event, while Du Chao, Head of Artificial Intelligence Lab of the CICG Centre for Europe and Africa, designed and administered the entire event.
As part of the extensive field visits, participants toured the world-famous Devil’s City—also known as the Ghost Town of Wuerhe—one of Xinjiang’s most striking natural wonders. Delegates walked through the vast landscape of wind-eroded rock formations, which stretch for miles across the Gobi Desert.
Many noted that the eerie shapes, sculpted by centuries of fierce winds, gave the area a cinematic charm, explaining why the site has become a favourite destination for filmmakers, explorers, and tourists from around the world. The visit offered guests not only a view into the region’s unique geography but also insight into how Karamay is promoting eco-tourism without compromising environmental conservation.
Another highlight of the programme was the tour of the Karamay Museum, which chronicles the city’s extraordinary 70-year journey from a remote frontier to one of China’s most productive oil hubs. Delegates viewed rare archival photographs, geological specimens, interactive displays on oil-drilling technology, and multimedia exhibits illustrating the city’s transformation.
The museum’s detailed presentation of Karamay’s early hardships—harsh climate, limited infrastructure, and pioneering workers—left a strong impression on visitors, who praised the city’s commitment to preserving and presenting its historical memory.
Guests also visited the historic Black Oil Mountain, or Helyou Mountain, the birthplace of Karamay’s oil industry. At the site, experts explained how natural seepage of crude oil first led explorers to discover petroleum reserves in the 1950s. Delegates saw the legendary oil-soaked terrain that shaped the city’s identity and learned about the early extraction methods that marked the beginning of industrial operations. Many noted that standing at Black Oil Mountain provided a direct connection to the origins of modern Karamay, underscoring how a small geological clue eventually laid the foundation for a major energy centre.
The itinerary further included visits to Karamay Municipal Hospital, the University of Petrochemicals, and a modern community centre, each reflecting the city’s rapid social advancements and investment in public welfare. Delegates were briefed on the region’s progress in medical technology, scientific research, and community-based services.
Alongside the tours, three high-level salons brought together specialists from energy, culture, tourism, technology, media, and finance. At the salon on “Practicing ESG Concepts and Promoting Green Energy Transition,” speakers highlighted how environmental, social, and governance principles are reshaping global energy industries. Experts commended Karamay’s efforts in adopting cleaner technologies, enforcing strict environmental standards, and supporting green development.
A second salon on the integration of culture, sports, and tourism explored how Karamay can strengthen its emerging identity as the “Fashion Capital of Wilderness Journeys.” Participants discussed the city’s growing potential in adventure tourism, motorsports, desert travel, low-altitude aviation, and scenic routes such as the Duku Highway. They noted that Karamay’s unique landscapes, outdoor facilities, and cultural assets provide a strong foundation for expanding international tourism.
The final salon, themed “How to Uphold the Truthfulness of News in the Global Artificial Intelligence Era,” engaged prominent media personalities from Pakistan, Egypt, Russia, Algeria, and China. The discussion addressed challenges posed by deepfakes, AI-generated misinformation, and algorithm-driven news consumption. Delegates agreed that while AI offers significant opportunities for media innovation and efficiency, it also demands stronger verification tools, ethical frameworks, and global cooperation.
Throughout the event, participants said they were struck by Karamay’s harmonious blend of industrial heritage, natural beauty, and forward-looking development. Many remarked that despite the brevity of their visit, the city’s clean environment, orderly urban planning, and strong emphasis on innovation left a lasting impression. They noted that Karamay’s approach to cultural promotion and international engagement reflects a confident city eager to share its story with the world.
I enjoyed the case study — it really brought the theory to life.