Over the past decade, Xinjiang has transformed parts of the Gobi Desert into fertile oases, expanding its arable land by more than 800,000 hectares, making it the province with the largest increase in grain production capacity in China.
This year marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. To coincide with the occasion, China released a government white paper on September 19 titled “CPC’s Governance Strategy for Xinjiang in the New Era: Successful Practices.” Spanning more than 21,000 words and rich in historical material and detailed data, the document reviews Xinjiang’s economic and social achievements, the reasons behind its progress, and outlines future directions for promoting high-quality development.
According to Jia Chunyang, a researcher at the Development Research Center of the State Council, the white paper serves both as a systematic summary of Xinjiang’s development achievements — particularly under the Party’s governance strategy in the new era — and as a forward-looking vision, carrying significant importance for the region’s future.
Despite consistent criticism from certain quarters of the international community, particularly the United States and some Western countries, which have leveled accusations of “genocide” and “forced labor” while imposing repeated sanctions, China has rejected these as falsehoods aimed at containing its rise. The white paper highlights tangible results from governance strategies, countering such narratives with evidence of modernization and progress.
Stability remains Xinjiang’s top priority. The region, once plagued by violent terrorism, has seen significant improvements in public security thanks to counter-terrorism and de-radicalization measures. For several years, no major terrorist incidents have occurred, while satisfaction with public safety has exceeded 99 percent for five consecutive years.
Development has gone hand-in-hand with stability. A milestone was achieved in 2020 when Xinjiang eradicated extreme poverty, a challenge that had persisted for millennia. Together with other provinces, Xinjiang has now built a moderately prosperous society in all respects.
Today, Xinjiang also serves as a crucial gateway for China’s westward opening. By 2024, more than 16,400 China-Europe freight trains had passed through the region, connecting China with over 220 countries and regions worldwide. As a core area of the Silk Road Economic Belt, Xinjiang is emerging as a golden corridor across Eurasia and a bridge for China’s global connectivity.
With its growing stability, development, and openness, Xinjiang is becoming an increasingly popular destination. Seventy years on, the region stands at a new starting point. Guided by the CPC’s strategy for Xinjiang in the new era, Xinjiang’s journey toward high-quality development and Chinese-style modernization is set to expand further. China has extended an invitation to more international friends to visit Xinjiang, experience its beauty, and share in its opportunities.
Source: Lili–Hashim–Tuhina, China Media Group.