Tatarstan President met representative of Tatar diaspora in China

On February 6, President of Tatarstan M.Shaimiev in the Kazan Kremlin received representative of the Tatar diaspora in China I.Gabitov. Aspiration of Tatar-compatriots living in the Chinese National Republic for close contacts with Tatarstan is evident since the first Congress of Tatars, said the President in his greeting.

Today Sintsyan-Uigur Independent Area of China has about 6,000 Tatars. I.Gabitov talked about their history. Many were forced to go to China after the revolution. In the beginning of the last century the Tatars far from their native land aspired to maintain their language, culture; they opened schools for children. According to the visitor, Tatars long home for their national feelings, national pride. They might become the bridge in trade and economic, cultural contacts between Tatarstan and China.