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An Ai Wei Wei supported NFT (non-fungible token) collection has been launched by London-based campaigner Reza Afshar to raise funds for detained Chinese Uyghurs.

Part of a growing movement of NFT4Good creators, the collection is inspired by a photoshoot with dissident artist Ai Wei Wei when he lived in Beijing, which is currently playing host to the 2022 Winter Olympics.

“We explained YOLO (you only live once) to Ai Wei Wei and he rolled with it, making a hashtag with his fingers. He’s become such a figure of resistance against brutality in China; this collection honours that iconic status in the form of collectable NFT,” Afshar, a new NFT creator, commented.

Purchase of NFTs gives the holder unique ownership. The global NFT market is now valued in excess of $40 billion (£29.7 billion), with one collection ‘The Merge’ netting $91.8 million (£68.3 million). Recent NFT owners include Jay-Z, Snoop Dog and billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban.

Inspired by meeting Ai Wei Wei during his time in Beijing, creator Reza Afshar wants to harness recent interest in NFTs to generate support for Uyghurs living under duress in China.

“It’s really important to support Uyghur people in China who are being locked up in their millions for the crime of simply existing. The money raised will be used to help fund legal battles to keep Uyghur children free from imprisonment.”

Afshar previously campaigned for the release of 16-year-old Bao Zhuoxuan during Chinese premier Xi Jin Ping’s visit to the UK in 2016. Bao was held under house arrest, being eventually freed after public pressure.

100% of profits will be donated to Human Rights in China (中国人权), a credited human rights organisation.