Aged couples attend golden and silver wedding celebrations in Tacheng, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on May 20, 2025.

On May 20, a special day symbolizing love and commitment in China, a total of 35 couples from eight ethnic groups in Haldun community, Xincheng Subdistrict, Tacheng city in Northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region gathered for the "Golden and Silver Wedding Celebrations." Dressed in traditional ethnic attire, these couples, aged 61 to 90, intertwined their weathered hands, embodying the timeless vow of "growing old together." The event, organized by the Publicity Department of the CPC Tacheng Municipal Committee and hosted by the Xincheng Subdistrict Office, highlighted cross-cultural harmony and enduring love.

Aged couples attend golden and silver wedding celebrations in Tacheng, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on May 20, 2025.

The participants, representing Han, Kazakh, Uyghur, Hui, Mongolian, Daur, Russian and Uzbek ethnic groups, shared heartfelt stories of their decades-long marriages. During the "Witness of Love" segment, couples exchanged crystal ornaments symbolizing loyalty and legacy. Russian ethnic group resident Jiang Yumei, married for 47 years, walked the "Time-Travel Red Carpet" with her husband and remarked, "Staying healthy together is the greatest happiness."

Aged couples attend golden and silver wedding celebrations in Tacheng, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on May 20, 2025.

Xu Zhenling, a Han woman, recalled her marriage 31 years ago to her Uyghur colleague Yiliharjiang Yusupujiang, which united seven ethnic groups across their extended families. She attributed their lasting bond to mutual respect: "We always consider each other’s perspectives and care for both sides’ parents."

Aged couples attend golden and silver wedding celebrations in Tacheng, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on May 20, 2025.

A Community of Unity

Haldun community, home to 14 ethnic groups (66.69 percent of the residents are minorities), has long been a model of ethnic integration. Recognized twice in 2014 and 2019 as a "National Model Collective for Ethnic Unity and Progress" by the State Council, the community fosters cohesion through initiatives like the "Pomegranate Seed Homeland" project, which promotes cultural and social integration via events such as "Neighborhood Festivals" and "Buddy Partnerships."

Aged couples attend golden and silver wedding celebrations in Tacheng, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on May 20, 2025.

Community’s Party Secretary Baharguli noted that the three-month preparation for the celebration aimed to deepen interethnic connections: "Through interaction and shared experiences, we’ve built an environment where all cultures blend seamlessly, making unity our proudest achievement."

Aged couples attend golden and silver wedding celebrations in Tacheng, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on May 20, 2025.

This event not only celebrated enduring love but also showcased Tacheng’s vibrant multicultural tapestry, where diverse families thrive as one, said the official.