Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region is riding the wave of its most prosperous era yet. Released this week, a white paper from the Information Office of the State Council in the Chinese mainland highlights a seven decade transformation that blends infrastructure booms, social progress and environmental feats.
The region marks its 70th anniversary this year with major milestones:
- Over 4 trillion yuan in transfer payments since 2012, including 543.48 billion yuan in 2024 alone
- 9,202 kilometers of railways and a 230,000 kilometer highway network as of 2024
- 595 civil air routes linking to global hubs, with 25 of them international
- China's top cotton producer for 32 consecutive years and 97 percent mechanization in key farming stages
- Life expectancy climbing from 30 years in 1949 to 77 years in 2024
- A 3,046 kilometer sand blocking belt encircling the Taklimakan Desert, the longest green corridor worldwide
Beyond data points, the white paper emphasizes efforts to strengthen ethnic unity, protect regional languages and cultural heritage, and fully implement the CPC guidelines on governance and religious freedom. Local regulations on cultural preservation and a focus on public health aim to boost wellbeing across diverse communities.
Looking ahead, Xinjiang is weaving its regional opening up into a broader Eurasian strategy, aiming to build a golden channel across the continent. For young global citizens, entrepreneurs and travelers, these shifts signal a region at the crossroads of tradition and innovation, ripe for sustainable development and new cultural exchanges.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
