Generations of Uighurs, the Turkic ethnic minority in China’s Xinjiang region, have played it at parties and weddings. Photo: APDuring the meeting, authorities warned residents that those who listened to banned songs, stored them on devices or shared them on social media could face prison. The prerecorded message gave the example of several people who had served 10 days in detention for being found with the banned songs. While at the police station, he said he spoke to others who had been summoned specifically for storing or sharing certain Uighur songs. “Because they sent each other a Uighur song on WeChat, they were arrested,” the former cadre said, referring to the teens.

Source: Taipei Times January 01, 2026 17:30 UTC