China Renames Hundreds of Uyghur Villages, Erasing Cultural Heritage

Human Rights Watch report reveals systematic replacement of village names with Communist Party ideology in Xinjiang.

About 630 Uyghur village names changed to reflect Chinese Communist Party values.
Name changes target religious, historical, and cultural references significant to Uyghurs.
Most changes occurred between 2017 and 2019 during intensified crackdown on Uyghurs.
New names like 'Happiness,' 'Unity,' and 'Harmony' replace traditional Uyghur names.
Report calls for international action to hold China accountable for cultural erasure.