With this year marking the 70th anniversary of the founding of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in northwest China, China’s State Council Information Office on Friday released a white paper titled “CPC Guidelines for Governing Xinjiang in the New Era: Practice and Achievements.”
Over seven decades, Xinjiang has evolved from a remote and underdeveloped frontier into a vibrant hub of economic growth, cultural diversity, and social stability. The 70th anniversary not only honors the autonomous region’s accomplishments but also reaffirms China’s commitment to safeguarding ethnic unity, advancing regional prosperity, and promoting long-term harmony.
Since its founding, Xinjiang’s journey has been marked by remarkable economic progress that has lifted millions out of poverty and turned the region into a crucial economic engine.
With rich natural resources including oil, gas, and minerals, Xinjiang has benefited from integrated development strategies that balance industrial expansion with sustainable resource utilization. Infrastructure upgrades – from high-speed railways connecting Xinjiang to inland provinces to modern highways and airports – have spurred connectivity and trade, facilitating Xinjiang’s role as a gateway in the Belt and Road Initiative.
The region’s GDP has grown steadily, reflecting diversified industries including energy, agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism. Last year, Xinjiang’s GDP topped 2 trillion yuan ($278 billion) for the first time, marking a 6.1 percent year-on-year growth.
Beyond economic success, Xinjiang’s social fabric exemplifies ethnic unity and flourishing of diverse cultures. With 56 ethnic groups living in the region, Xinjiang is a harmonious multi-ethnic society, with policies that protect cultural heritage while fostering socioeconomic integration.
The region has invested heavily in education, healthcare, and social welfare, ensuring equitable development opportunities across ethnic lines. “Fostering a stronger sense of the Chinese nation as one community” was listed as a guideline in the white paper.
Efforts to preserve minority languages and traditions empower local communities to participate in social and economic life, reinforcing the spirit of mutual respect and shared destiny. Between 2010 and 2018, the Uygur population in Xinjiang grew by 25.04 percent, exceeding the growth rate of the Han population in Xinjiang by 23 percentage points.
Religious freedom is well protected by law. Xinjiang is home to nearly 25,000 religious venues including mosques, churches and Buddhist temples – evidence of religious freedom in the region.
Another critical dimension of Xinjiang’s achievements is the greatly enhanced public security and social stability that underpin its development. Upholding social stability and lasting peace and security is the overall goal of the work related to Xinjiang, according to the white paper.
Amid the complex challenges posed by extremism and separatism, the government has implemented comprehensive measures emphasizing law-based governance and community engagement.
These actions have restored peace and order, facilitating an environment where all residents can live and work safely. The resulting stability has been essential for attracting investment, building infrastructure, and improving the quality of life – core preconditions for sustainable development.
Environmentally, Xinjiang has expanded its oasis areas by 56,000 square kilometers, simultaneously reducing desertified land by nearly 2,000 square kilometers and decreasing the frequency of sandstorms by 14 percent over the past decade.
These achievements demonstrate the efficacy of China’s political system of regional ethnic autonomy. The 70th anniversary serves as both a celebration of achievements and a call to advance high-quality growth.
The story of Xinjiang is a testament to China’s path toward comprehensive modernization and rejuvenation.
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-09-21/Xinjiang-takes-giant-strides-at-70-1GOytrUnkNG/p.html
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