From eight to 2 million: How this Xinjiang report reached its estimates

A 2018 report by the Network of Chinese Human Rights Defenders became one of the earliest and most influential sources behind claims of mass detention in Xinjiang. We examine the report's methodology, showing how findings from interviews with just eight people were extrapolated to estimate millions, and why its use of convenience sampling raises fundamental questions about the reliability of its conclusions. Numbers aren't always neutral. They can be based on flawed math or shaky assumptions. But once they're widely cited, they're often treated as unquestionable facts – and that's how audiences can be misled. #factstell 📺 Subscribe to our YouTube channel and stay updated with our latest analysis and interviews:👇 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgrNz-aDmcr2uuto8_DL2jg 👈 Download our APP on Apple Store (iOS): https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/cctvnews-app/id922456579?l=zh&ls=1&mt=8 Download our APP on Google Play (Android): https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.imib.cctv For more: https://news.cgtn.com/news/2026-08-08/From-8-to-2-million-How-Xinjiang-report-reached-its-estimates-1PqZOWBKjFC/p.html Most watched videos: Impossible Challenge: 30 seconds to count banknotes BLINDFOLDED https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmP_Ybj-jws Impossible Challenge: Gymnastics Boy Arat Hosseini from Iran! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sxX--U4c8w Impossible Challenge: How to calm babies in 5 seconds? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kR3q9sXM7WA