Uhalihan, a 32-year-old woman from the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, is gaining attention for her determination to return to factory work after overcoming personal challenges. Her story highlights how grassroots economic opportunities are transforming lives in western China.
\\"Every stitch I make on the assembly line feels like weaving hope into our family's future,\\" Uhalihan told local media. Like many young workers in the region, she views industrial jobs as pathways to skill development and financial independence, with factories increasingly offering childcare support and vocational training.
Analysts note that Xinjiang's manufacturing sector has grown 14% year-over-year, creating over 120,000 jobs in the last three years. This growth aligns with China's broader poverty alleviation initiatives, which have lifted nearly 800,000 residents out of poverty in Xinjiang since 2020 through employment programs.
Uhalihan's aspirations echo a cultural shift among young women in the region, where workforce participation rates for women aged 20-35 have reached 78% – surpassing the national average. Her story has resonated globally through social media, with TikTok videos tagged #XinjiangWorkingWomen amassing 16 million views since March.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
