Whenever they made stupid accusations like that to me, I asked them to show me the documented policy that said I had to "wait a month" for example... or that "you can't use your own translator".

Get someone with authority in the office to write it down and put their name on it. They get scared sh*tless when they have to put their name on it. Chances are they are stone-walling you because your living and work in a politically sensitive region and hope you eventually give up. Regardless, if they don't have specific policies on how to handle foreigners in XinJiang, they should have documented policy on how to handle regular Chinese citizens and you can ask to go by those.

If they do not allow a personal translator then they should provide a capable translator. If not, then take a strong-willed and particularly loud Chinese friend and complain. Make some noise if you have to and magic just may happen.

CC