Look at all of the existing remnants of Chinese Han Dynasty construction in Xinjiang Province from 2,000 years ago (e.g. watchtower, parts of the Great Wall, fire beacon tower, tombs, etc.). There is absolutely no question whatsoever that China had claimed Xinjiang Province since the Han Dynasty.
China doesn't need Han Dynasty "literature" to claim Xinjiang. Chinese Han Dynasty CONSTRUCTION are still there today for you to see with your own eyes (see photographs below). China relies on HARD PROOF CONSTRUCTION for its claim to Xinjiang.
Two thousand years into the future, future historians will point to China's high-speed rail construction in Xinjiang province as proof of today's Chinese sovereignty over Xinjiang province.
----------
Xinjiang has been Chinese territory for the last 2,000 years
The Han Dynasty exercised sovereignty over Xinjiang.
Xinjiang - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"In the 2nd century BC, Han China sent Zhang Qian as an envoy to the states in the region, beginning several decades of struggle between the Xiongnu and Han China over dominance of the region, eventually ending in Chinese success.
In 60 BC Han China established the Protectorate of the Western Regions (西域都護府) at Wulei (烏壘; near modern Luntai) to oversee the entire region as far west as the Pamir. Tarim Basin was under the influence and control of the Han dynasty."
Govt. White Papers - china.org.cn
"
The Xiongnu entered Xinjiang mainly around 176 B.C. The Han was one of the earliest peoples to settle in Xinjiang.
In 101 B.C., the Han empire began to station garrison troops to open up wasteland for cultivation of farm crops in Luntai (Bügür), Quli and some other places. Later, it sent troops to all other parts of Xinjiang for the same purpose. All the garrison reclamation points became the early settlements of the Han people after they entered Xinjiang. Since the Western Regions Frontier Command was established in 60 B.C., the inflow of the Han people to Xinjiang, including officials, soldiers and merchants, had never stopped."
----------
"two-thousand-year-old Han dynasty watchtower, outside Kuqa (Xinjiang)"
Source:
Bradley Mayhew: Travels in Xinjiang
----------
"Han Dynasty Great Wall in the desert.
Great Wall in the Desert
The remnants of Han Dynasty (206 B.C. – 220 A.D.) Great Wall can be found in the Gobi desert. The section that we will look at is part of a stretch that crossed the desert from Hami to Jiuquan, the Great Wall in this area was made out of layers of reeds and rammed earth and gravel. Two thousand years later, some of the wall remains in reasonable—but weathered—condition. The wall here, and the soldiers who garrisoned it, made the area safer for the traders and pilgrims on the Silk Road."
Source:
Beijing Hikers - Special Trips
----------
"Ruins of a beacon tower of the Han Dynasty in Lop Nur, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region
As the symbol of the strong politics and economy of the Qin (221 BC - 206 BC) and Han (206 BC - 220) Dynasties, Great Wall of the Qin and Han Dynasties was built on the sites of the northern Great Walls of the Qin, Zhao and Yan States of the Warring States Period (476 BC - 221 BC), stretching for over 6,000 kilometers (3,728 miles) from east to west. Related Intro: Qin Dynasty Great Wall, Han Dynasty Great Wall"
Source:
Pictures of China Great Wall in Qin and Han Dynasties
----------
1,700-year-old Han Style Tombs Discovered in Xinjiang : Confucius Online – Chinese Culture and Chinese Philosophy.
1,700-year-old Han Style Tombs Discovered in Xinjiang
By nimeitu on 10/1/2010
Several 1700- year-old Han style tombs were unearthed in Kuqa County of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region at a construction site of an underground business street. This is the first time Han style tombs at that age have been found in Xinjiang.
Comparing with tombs discovered in Jiangsu, Shandong, Shaanxi, Henan and Shanxi provinces, these tombs were identified as being built during the Qiuci Kingdom, between the middle of 3rd century and 4th century.
The discovery of these tombs fills a gaping hole concerning the ancient Qiuci Kingdom. They are significant for researching intimate political, commercial and cultural relationships between the Xiyu (western regions) Areas, the ancient Xinjiang region, and central China.
The corridor and a door of a side room in the No. 1 tomb
The No. 2 tomb, 2.5 meters high
Skeletons discovered in the tomb
Skeletons discovered near the front door of the No. 1 tomb