**Title: Mutual Support Among “Relatives” in Xinjiang**

**Interviewer: Zhang Yangbin, Wang Yuping**

Located in the Aksu region of Xinjiang, Wensu County is renowned for its abundant walnut production. Among the sprawling walnut groves, over 30 acres belong to Zhao Wuzhong. Just two decades ago, these lush trees were mere saplings, and their growth can largely be attributed to Zhao’s Uyghur “brother,” Muhadan Tuerdi.

In 1996, Zhao Wuzhong moved from Sichuan to Xinjiang for work. At that time, Wensu County was harsh, plagued by fierce winds and sandstorms. Around 2000, Aksu began an afforestation initiative that offered incentives for farmers to plant trees. Zhao took on over 30 acres of desert land to cultivate walnuts, where he met Muhadan, a local walnut farming expert. “We met during an agricultural technology training organized by the local government,” Muhadan recalls. After getting to know each other, he found Zhao to be honest and kind, and they quickly became friends.

However, not everything went as planned. In 2002, a storm devastated Zhao’s walnut grove. Faced with the prospect of abandoning his dreams, Zhao considered leaving Xinjiang. “If he returned, he would just go back to earning 10 or 15 yuan a day,” Muhadan worried, especially considering Zhao had two young children.

Muhadan rallied friends and neighbors to help Zhao back on his feet—digging up the buried trees and encouraging him with the wisdom that walnut farming is a long-term investment requiring patience. When Zhao struggled to afford fertilizer for the recovery of his grove, Muhadan stepped up with a loan of 10,000 yuan, an amount significant at that time. Some cautioned Muhadan about the risk, but he confidently replied, “I know Wuzhong’s character; he won’t abandon this.”

With Muhadan’s continued encouragement and support, Zhao saw his first harvest in 2005, earning 10,000 yuan. By 2007, that number grew to over 50,000 yuan, and in 2008, he made over 100,000 yuan. Zhao’s life improved significantly, transforming what was once a desolate landscape into a verdant haven. “My kids grew up here; after over twenty years, I’ve come to see this place as my home,” he says.

Muhadan fondly remarks, “From acquaintances to friends, we’ve become ‘relatives’ now.” The duo, known as the “Walnut Brothers,” has become a well-known partnership in the region. “I’m grateful to my brother. Without him, my life wouldn’t be so great.”

This narrative of different ethnic groups in Xinjiang coming together to support one another is echoed throughout the region.

Wang San Street, the only street in Aksu named after a person, bustles with activity, especially at night when various stalls attract crowds with their tantalizing aromas.

Wang San, originally named Yushan Rouzi, was born during the late Qing Dynasty. His father once helped a businessman named Wang Fucai from Tianjin, leading to their lifelong bond of brotherhood. When Wang San was sent to Tianjin, he was entrusted into Wang Fucai’s care and was given the name Wang San. When Wang was 18, Wang Fucai brought him back to Aksu to reconnect with his roots during a time of turmoil, but they couldn’t locate his relatives. Wang Fucai then transformed his childhood home into a marketplace, and Wang San, trained as a physician, began to serve the community.

Today, Wang San’s grandson, affectionately known as “Little Wang San,” lives nearby. His father also gave him a Han Chinese name, Wang Weihan. Wang Weihan now has many “relatives” from different backgrounds. “One of my ‘relatives,’ Zhao Qing, helped me immensely one year when I was busy and had to go out of town. He would pick up and drop off my kids and even assist with their homework, treating them like his own. My Han brother Yi Chongqing also came through for me when my mother fell ill, rushing her to the hospital and ensuring she received care.”

To Wang Weihan, the essence of being “relatives” extends beyond festive gatherings; it’s about lending a hand in times of need, fostering mutual respect and unity. “True relatives help each other in tough times and work together to thrive,” he shares.

At the entrance of Wang San Street, visitors will find the “One Family, One Heart” restaurant, a collaborative effort by seven ethnic groups and 44 pairs of “relatives.” Co-founders Liu Jianbo and Muhatau Rusuli emphasize the significance of interethnic interactions in Xinjiang. “It’s normal for different ethnic groups to support each other here. As brothers and sisters, we should do something meaningful together,” Liu notes.

Across Aksu, restaurants, night markets, digital stores, and fruit shops named “One Family, One Heart” can be found everywhere. These stories of camaraderie and support among various ethnicities have come together to create a vibrant tapestry of unity in the region.