As Super Typhoon Ragasa approaches, public transportation in Guangdong province — particularly train services — will be heavily disrupted starting on Tuesday, while most coastal cities in the province have suspended school, work, production and business operations.
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Ragasa, the 18th typhoon of 2025, was upgraded to a super typhoon by China's National Meteorological Center on Sunday morning, with the maximum wind force near the center reaching above level 17.
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High-speed and regular trains within Guangdong will gradually be suspended from noon on Tuesday, with the range of suspensions adjusted systematically according to the storm's impact, China Railway Guangzhou Group said on Monday. All train services in the province will be suspended on Wednesday, it added. Services are expected to resume once the typhoon weakens, with schedules updated accordingly.
\n
The typhoon is forecast to make landfall along the coast from Huizhou in Guangdong to Wenchang in Hainan province between the early morning and afternoon on Wednesday. At that time, it is expected to be a strong typhoon or super typhoon, with winds of level 14 to 16, said Wang Haiping, chief forecaster at the National Meteorological Center.
\n
"One of the main reasons for the high intensity of Typhoon Ragasa is that the ocean has been continuously heated throughout the summer, resulting in relatively high sea temperatures after autumn," Wang said. He added that typhoons in autumn often interact with cold air masses moving south, a process that lifts warm, moist air and can trigger extreme rainfall.
\n
"The strong typhoon will bring heavy to torrential rainfall in South China's coastal area," Wang said at a Monday news conference.
\n
Authorities in Guangdong on Monday morning raised the province's wind emergency response to Level II, the second-highest in China's four-tier warning system.
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Local railway operators have adjusted train operations based on the storm's expected path. Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport said it would adjust or cancel flights depending on conditions, while ferry service to Chuanshan Islands in Jiangmen will be suspended from Tuesday as nearby sea winds are expected to reach about 72 kilometers per hour.
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As of 10 am Monday, Guangdong's Maritime Safety Administration had relocated more than 10,000 coastal vessels to safe waters.
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By Monday afternoon, authorities in Zhuhai, Dongguan, Shanwei, Shenzhen, Zhongshan, Jiangmen, Yangjiang and Huizhou had announced suspensions of classes, work, production, public transport and business operations on Tuesday and Wednesday.
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In Hong Kong, education officials said classes at all schools — including secondary schools, primary schools, special schools, kindergartens, kindergarten-cum-child care centers and evening schools — would be suspended for both days.
\n
Hong Kong International Airport will remain open during the storm, but a substantial number of flights are expected to be grounded, Airport Authority Hong Kong said. Wing Yeung Tak-wing, the authority's service delivery director, told reporters the airport would see a significant reduction in flights after 6 pm on Tuesday and a full-day impact on Wednesday. Passengers are urged to confirm flight statuses with airlines before heading to the airport.
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In Hainan, the Haikou Transportation and Port & Shipping Administration announced that Xinhai Port, Xiuying Port and Railway South Port will suspend operations beginning at 6 pm on Tuesday. The closures are expected to last until Thursday evening, depending on weather conditions.
\n
Although the typhoon's eye may not make direct landfall on Hainan, the island's northern and western coasts are forecast to see winds of level 10 to 12, with torrential rain expected in Haikou and other regions.
\n
Wang Changxiao, director of the disaster prevention and mitigation department at the Emergency Management Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality, urged residents to prepare sufficient emergency supplies such as bread and medicine.
\n
"The super typhoon will become one of the most significant storms to hit the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area since 2018," Wang said. "While staying at home, residents should secure doors and windows and have sufficient emergency supplies ready."
As Super Typhoon Ragasa approaches, public transportation in Guangdong province — particularly train services — will be heavily disrupted starting on Tuesday, while most coastal cities in the province have suspended school, work, production and business operations.
\n
Ragasa, the 18th typhoon of 2025, was upgraded to a super typhoon by China's National Meteorological Center on Sunday morning, with the maximum wind force near the center reaching above level 17.
\n
High-speed and regular trains within Guangdong will gradually be suspended from noon on Tuesday, with the range of suspensions adjusted systematically according to the storm's impact, China Railway Guangzhou Group said on Monday. All train services in the province will be suspended on Wednesday, it added. Services are expected to resume once the typhoon weakens, with schedules updated accordingly.
\n
The typhoon is forecast to make landfall along the coast from Huizhou in Guangdong to Wenchang in Hainan province between the early morning and afternoon on Wednesday. At that time, it is expected to be a strong typhoon or super typhoon, with winds of level 14 to 16, said Wang Haiping, chief forecaster at the National Meteorological Center.
\n
"One of the main reasons for the high intensity of Typhoon Ragasa is that the ocean has been continuously heated throughout the summer, resulting in relatively high sea temperatures after autumn," Wang said. He added that typhoons in autumn often interact with cold air masses moving south, a process that lifts warm, moist air and can trigger extreme rainfall.
\n
"The strong typhoon will bring heavy to torrential rainfall in South China's coastal area," Wang said at a Monday news conference.
\n
Authorities in Guangdong on Monday morning raised the province's wind emergency response to Level II, the second-highest in China's four-tier warning system.
\n
Local railway operators have adjusted train operations based on the storm's expected path. Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport said it would adjust or cancel flights depending on conditions, while ferry service to Chuanshan Islands in Jiangmen will be suspended from Tuesday as nearby sea winds are expected to reach about 72 kilometers per hour.
\n
As of 10 am Monday, Guangdong's Maritime Safety Administration had relocated more than 10,000 coastal vessels to safe waters.
\n
By Monday afternoon, authorities in Zhuhai, Dongguan, Shanwei, Shenzhen, Zhongshan, Jiangmen, Yangjiang and Huizhou had announced suspensions of classes, work, production, public transport and business operations on Tuesday and Wednesday.
\n
In Hong Kong, education officials said classes at all schools — including secondary schools, primary schools, special schools, kindergartens, kindergarten-cum-child care centers and evening schools — would be suspended for both days.
\n
Hong Kong International Airport will remain open during the storm, but a substantial number of flights are expected to be grounded, Airport Authority Hong Kong said. Wing Yeung Tak-wing, the authority's service delivery director, told reporters the airport would see a significant reduction in flights after 6 pm on Tuesday and a full-day impact on Wednesday. Passengers are urged to confirm flight statuses with airlines before heading to the airport.
\n
In Hainan, the Haikou Transportation and Port & Shipping Administration announced that Xinhai Port, Xiuying Port and Railway South Port will suspend operations beginning at 6 pm on Tuesday. The closures are expected to last until Thursday evening, depending on weather conditions.
\n
Although the typhoon's eye may not make direct landfall on Hainan, the island's northern and western coasts are forecast to see winds of level 10 to 12, with torrential rain expected in Haikou and other regions.
\n
Wang Changxiao, director of the disaster prevention and mitigation department at the Emergency Management Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality, urged residents to prepare sufficient emergency supplies such as bread and medicine.
\n
"The super typhoon will become one of the most significant storms to hit the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area since 2018," Wang said. "While staying at home, residents should secure doors and windows and have sufficient emergency supplies ready."
Visitors pose for photos in front of the giant flower basket themed "Blessings to the Motherland", at Tian'anmen Square in Beijing, on Monday. Standing 18 meters tall, the installation contains flowers and peace doves to express hopes for national prosperity and world peace.
People view audiovisual materials of flora and fauna at an exhibition during the 5th World Congress of Biosphere Reserves in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, on Monday.
\n
Amid increasing global challenges, experts from around the world gathered on Monday in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, to discuss environmental and biodiversity conservation, highlighting the key roles of international cooperation and technological innovation.
\n
Addressing the opening ceremony of the 5th World Congress of Biosphere Reserves, Vice-Premier Ding Xuexiang called for strengthened global cooperation on biosphere conservation.
\n
Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in 2012, Ding said, China has achieved "remarkable progress" in ecological protection and green development. China has also actively contributed to global environmental and climate governance, playing a key role as a participant, contributor and leader in international ecological efforts.
\n
To address global environmental challenges, Ding urged countries to strengthen coordination and cooperation, increase investment and encourage participation from governments, enterprises and the public. He also called for enhanced scientific and technological support, the sharing of research outcomes, and efforts to bridge knowledge gaps between countries and regions.
\n
Ding highlighted the importance of biosphere reserves in promoting harmony between humans and nature and fostering coordinated progress between economic growth and environmental protection.
\n
The congress, which is convened by UNESCO every 10 years, aims to evaluate progress, share experiences, and set future directions for the Man and the Biosphere Programme.
\n
Latifa Yaakoubi, chair of the International Coordinating Council of the MAB Programme, said countries around the world are now facing a series of interconnected crises, including climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. The impacts of these crises are intensifying, affecting everyone and threatening the foundations of socioeconomic systems.
\n
Yaakoubi said the goal of the MAB Programme, established in 1971, is to enhance understanding of the connections between humanity and nature. This understanding is crucial for changing behaviors and building a more sustainable future.
\n
The program can bridge global ideals with local and regional actions, align national agendas with international ones, and fulfill sustainability commitments at local, national and international levels, she said.
\n
Audrey Azoulay, director-general of UNESCO, echoed Yaakoubi's comments, adding that ecological multilateralism is central to UNESCO's work.
\n
The World Network of Biosphere Reserves now includes 759 biosphere reserves across 136 countries, which Azoulay said demonstrates "concrete multilateralism".
\n
Azoulay also highlighted an island watch program in Mauritius, where local communities are becoming observers and actively involved in monitoring environmental changes.
\n
"Gaining a better understanding of the living world also means raising awareness of indigenous knowledge and integrating it better into our management policies," Azoulay said, stressing the importance of open science and international cooperation.
\n
Hou Jianguo, president of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said new technologies, including artificial intelligence and biotechnology, have created favorable conditions for collective efforts to tackle global ecological and environmental challenges.
\n
"The establishment and development of biosphere reserves not only provide important application scenarios for the practical implementation of new theories, technologies and products, but also serve as an important platform for countries to jointly strengthen ecological conservation efforts and cooperation, thereby achieving common sustainable development," Hou said.
\n
He emphasized the importance of deepening technological communication and cooperation to empower the construction of biosphere reserves by leveraging the World Network of Biosphere Reserves, universities and research institutions. This collaboration should focus on key areas such as ecological restoration, biodiversity protection, and green and low-carbon development, providing more effective solutions.
\n
"We should strengthen the co-construction and sharing of foundational capability building," he said, adding that a big data platform should be built to enhance exchanges and cooperation in data sharing and talent cultivation, thereby establishing an intelligent, integrated ecosystem research and monitoring network.
\n
He also called for greater attention to the challenges faced by developing countries in balancing socioeconomic development with ecological and environmental protection, emphasizing the need to provide them with tailored solutions.
\n
limenghan@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
- "content": "
People view audiovisual materials of flora and fauna at an exhibition during the 5th World Congress of Biosphere Reserves in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, on Monday.
\n
Amid increasing global challenges, experts from around the world gathered on Monday in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, to discuss environmental and biodiversity conservation, highlighting the key roles of international cooperation and technological innovation.
\n
Addressing the opening ceremony of the 5th World Congress of Biosphere Reserves, Vice-Premier Ding Xuexiang called for strengthened global cooperation on biosphere conservation.
\n
Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in 2012, Ding said, China has achieved "remarkable progress" in ecological protection and green development. China has also actively contributed to global environmental and climate governance, playing a key role as a participant, contributor and leader in international ecological efforts.
\n
To address global environmental challenges, Ding urged countries to strengthen coordination and cooperation, increase investment and encourage participation from governments, enterprises and the public. He also called for enhanced scientific and technological support, the sharing of research outcomes, and efforts to bridge knowledge gaps between countries and regions.
\n
Ding highlighted the importance of biosphere reserves in promoting harmony between humans and nature and fostering coordinated progress between economic growth and environmental protection.
\n
The congress, which is convened by UNESCO every 10 years, aims to evaluate progress, share experiences, and set future directions for the Man and the Biosphere Programme.
\n
Latifa Yaakoubi, chair of the International Coordinating Council of the MAB Programme, said countries around the world are now facing a series of interconnected crises, including climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. The impacts of these crises are intensifying, affecting everyone and threatening the foundations of socioeconomic systems.
\n
Yaakoubi said the goal of the MAB Programme, established in 1971, is to enhance understanding of the connections between humanity and nature. This understanding is crucial for changing behaviors and building a more sustainable future.
\n
The program can bridge global ideals with local and regional actions, align national agendas with international ones, and fulfill sustainability commitments at local, national and international levels, she said.
\n
Audrey Azoulay, director-general of UNESCO, echoed Yaakoubi's comments, adding that ecological multilateralism is central to UNESCO's work.
\n
The World Network of Biosphere Reserves now includes 759 biosphere reserves across 136 countries, which Azoulay said demonstrates "concrete multilateralism".
\n
Azoulay also highlighted an island watch program in Mauritius, where local communities are becoming observers and actively involved in monitoring environmental changes.
\n
"Gaining a better understanding of the living world also means raising awareness of indigenous knowledge and integrating it better into our management policies," Azoulay said, stressing the importance of open science and international cooperation.
\n
Hou Jianguo, president of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said new technologies, including artificial intelligence and biotechnology, have created favorable conditions for collective efforts to tackle global ecological and environmental challenges.
\n
"The establishment and development of biosphere reserves not only provide important application scenarios for the practical implementation of new theories, technologies and products, but also serve as an important platform for countries to jointly strengthen ecological conservation efforts and cooperation, thereby achieving common sustainable development," Hou said.
\n
He emphasized the importance of deepening technological communication and cooperation to empower the construction of biosphere reserves by leveraging the World Network of Biosphere Reserves, universities and research institutions. This collaboration should focus on key areas such as ecological restoration, biodiversity protection, and green and low-carbon development, providing more effective solutions.
\n
"We should strengthen the co-construction and sharing of foundational capability building," he said, adding that a big data platform should be built to enhance exchanges and cooperation in data sharing and talent cultivation, thereby establishing an intelligent, integrated ecosystem research and monitoring network.
\n
He also called for greater attention to the challenges faced by developing countries in balancing socioeconomic development with ecological and environmental protection, emphasizing the need to provide them with tailored solutions.
Visitors admire an electric Vertical Take-off and Landing aircraft on display at the 2025 Emerging Air Economy Development Conference in Wuhu, Anhui province, on Sept 7.
\n
HEFEI — Sun Mengqin, a Gen Z aviation science popularization specialist, never imagined that her hometown — Wanzhi town in Wuhu city, East China's Anhui province — would benefit so much from the booming aviation industry, a field she had known little about before.
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Sun's story is closely linked to the rise of Wuhu's low-altitude economy, which took center stage at the 2025 Emerging Air Economy Development Conference held recently in Wuhu. The event attracted overseas guests from more than 10 countries, including Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Canada and Australia.
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Driven by both domestic policies and rapidly growing market demand, China's low-altitude economy has enjoyed robust growth in recent years. According to data released by the Civil Aviation Administration of China, in the first half of 2025, traditional general aviation operations reached 570,000 flight hours. The number of registered unmanned aerial vehicles reached 2.73 million, with a cumulative flight time of 24.47 million hours — a year-on-year increase of 149 percent.
\n
At the conference, a diverse array of state-of-the-art aviation products took the spotlight, including aerial emergency command aircraft, intelligent flight control systems, and facade-cleaning drones. These impressive displays vividly showcased the vitality of China's low-altitude economy.
\n
"I'm proud to introduce more teenagers to aviation and the low-altitude economy right here in my hometown," said Sun, emphasizing that a domestically developed general aviation aircraft can be produced from blueprint to finished product — all within this small town of Wanzhi, and with fully independent intellectual property rights.
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Nestled along the Yangtze River, Wanzhi used to be a quiet agricultural town, but now it's buzzing with over 200 aviation-related companies.
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The year 2013 marked the beginning of Wanzhi's "takeoff", as it seized the opportunity presented by a local airport's construction to develop its general aviation industry. A number of aviation enterprises, including CETC Wuhu Diamond Aircraft Manufacture company, established their presence in the town. In 2024, Wuhu's low-altitude economy generated revenue of 46.38 billion yuan ($6.5 billion), a year-on-year increase of 15.95 percent.
\n
Within its 3.49-square-kilometer area, the aviation town in Wanzhi boasts a fully integrated industrial chain that spans from aviation component manufacturing to R&D, production, maintenance and operation of both general aviation aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles.
\n
"Overseas orders are growing rapidly this year, and we expect revenue growth to exceed 40 percent," said Tian Manlin, general manager of CETC Wuhu Diamond Aircraft Manufacture. Tian added that while strengthening its presence in the domestic market, the company is accelerating its expansion into overseas markets such as Southeast Asia.
\n
"In 2024, we purchased an aircraft from Wuhu for pilot training, and the order was delivered in just three months," said Piboon Vorravanpreecha, managing director of Thai Aviation Industries. He noted that the company was impressed by the cost-effectiveness and reliable after-sales service of the Wuhu-manufactured aircraft and has decided to deepen cooperation in distribution and maintenance with Wuhu in 2025.
\n
According to Tian, the aviation town is nothing short of a "dream factory", where core components such as general aviation engines, avionics systems and propellers can now be both manufactured and repaired in Wuhu.
\n
At an aviation camp located about 20 km north of Wuxuan airport, which sits on the border between the cities of Wuhu and Xuancheng in Anhui, tourists and aviation enthusiasts were waiting to board small fixed-wing aircraft for a bird's-eye view of Wuhu's urban landscape.
\n
A few years back, Wang Yuzheng, then chairman of an aviation company in Anhui, made the decision to go back to his hometown. He wanted to turn his passion for aviation into reality by founding this aviation camp.
\n
"The low-altitude economy has transitioned from a conceptual stage into a phase of rapid growth," Wang said. "We aim to explore innovative cultural and tourism applications for low-altitude airspace, turning this emerging sector into tangible convenience in people's daily lives."
Although many have used the word "rare" to describe the visit of a bipartisan delegation from the US House of Representatives to Beijing starting on Sunday, as it is the first of its kind since 2019, it continues the cautious but necessary sustaining of the channels of communication between the two countries.
\n
Led by Democratic Representative Adam Smith, the delegation met with Premier Li Qiang in Beijing on Sunday. Premier Li made it clear that China welcomes engagement that is rational, respectful and mutually beneficial.
\n
As Li correctly urged in the meeting, the US Congress should adopt an objective view of China and bilateral relations so as to facilitate exchanges and cooperation.
\n
China-US relations have global influence, and maintaining the stable, sound and sustainable development of their ties serves the common interests of both nations and the international community as a whole.
\n
In their telephone talks on Friday, Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump provided strategic guidance for the healthy development of bilateral ties, agreeing that dialogue and cooperation should be enhanced between the two countries.
\n
US lawmakers wield significant influence over the US' China policy. In recent years, the US Congress — through legislation, budgetary controls and oversight — has helped shape the US posture toward China in trade, investment, industry, technology and security.
\n
Yet many of its measures have been driven by baseless fear, avoidable misunderstanding or ill-advisable misjudgment, rather than being guided by direct, firsthand contact with Beijing. So the US Congress in recent years has often taken positions on China-related issues that are shaped more by domestic politics, ideological prejudice and election cycles rather than rationality, objectivity and pragmatism.
\n
Worse, many US policies against China in related fields that originate from Congress bills and acts have been further intensified in the process of implementation because of the lack of informed and unbiased judgments of China's policies and intentions.
\n
There are many vivid examples showing how misunderstanding can fuel overreaction, and lead to policies that are counterproductive.
\n
Thus the visit by the House delegation will hopefully be conducive to more measured policies regarding China. Face-to-face meetings allow US lawmakers to see with their own eyes China's perspectives, to test claims with facts, to voice US concerns directly, and to weigh China's responses.
\n
Premier Li's call for mutual respect, sincerity and equal treatment underscores that Sino-US relations cannot be well managed if Congress acts under misperceptions, or if domestic political pressures continue to be allowed to lead to unilateral moves without understanding the other side's red lines.
\n
If US lawmakers can work together with their Chinese counterparts to jointly enhance dialogue, strengthen cooperation and avoid overreacting to differences, they can contribute to helping US-China relations move beyond suspicion and confrontation to focus on communication and collaboration.
\n
It is hoped the US lawmakers make good use of their in-person contacts with the Chinese side during their visit to better understand how China seeks to accommodate US concerns and how determined it is to safeguard its own interests; and how the two sides might reconcile their respective concerns without sacrificing their own core principles.
\n
Li's call for the two sides to treat each other with sincerity and to communicate with the spirit of equality, respect and mutual benefit is not merely a diplomatic rhetoric — but a reminder of what should be the foundation for relations between major countries, particularly in turbulent times.
\n
The principles of win-win cooperation, peaceful coexistence and mutual respect that China has put forward as the necessities for properly handling bilateral ties present a clear proposition: stable Sino-US relations based on those principles should not be optional, but a common pursuit of the two countries.
\n
To maintain stable Sino-US relations entails the US side setting aside its zero-sum mindset and viewing bilateral ties with due pragmatism while responsibly managing differences. It remains to be seen whether the US side, including Congress, is ready to do so.
\n",
- "content": "
Although many have used the word "rare" to describe the visit of a bipartisan delegation from the US House of Representatives to Beijing starting on Sunday, as it is the first of its kind since 2019, it continues the cautious but necessary sustaining of the channels of communication between the two countries.
\n
Led by Democratic Representative Adam Smith, the delegation met with Premier Li Qiang in Beijing on Sunday. Premier Li made it clear that China welcomes engagement that is rational, respectful and mutually beneficial.
\n
As Li correctly urged in the meeting, the US Congress should adopt an objective view of China and bilateral relations so as to facilitate exchanges and cooperation.
\n
China-US relations have global influence, and maintaining the stable, sound and sustainable development of their ties serves the common interests of both nations and the international community as a whole.
\n
In their telephone talks on Friday, Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump provided strategic guidance for the healthy development of bilateral ties, agreeing that dialogue and cooperation should be enhanced between the two countries.
\n
US lawmakers wield significant influence over the US' China policy. In recent years, the US Congress — through legislation, budgetary controls and oversight — has helped shape the US posture toward China in trade, investment, industry, technology and security.
\n
Yet many of its measures have been driven by baseless fear, avoidable misunderstanding or ill-advisable misjudgment, rather than being guided by direct, firsthand contact with Beijing. So the US Congress in recent years has often taken positions on China-related issues that are shaped more by domestic politics, ideological prejudice and election cycles rather than rationality, objectivity and pragmatism.
\n
Worse, many US policies against China in related fields that originate from Congress bills and acts have been further intensified in the process of implementation because of the lack of informed and unbiased judgments of China's policies and intentions.
\n
There are many vivid examples showing how misunderstanding can fuel overreaction, and lead to policies that are counterproductive.
\n
Thus the visit by the House delegation will hopefully be conducive to more measured policies regarding China. Face-to-face meetings allow US lawmakers to see with their own eyes China's perspectives, to test claims with facts, to voice US concerns directly, and to weigh China's responses.
\n
Premier Li's call for mutual respect, sincerity and equal treatment underscores that Sino-US relations cannot be well managed if Congress acts under misperceptions, or if domestic political pressures continue to be allowed to lead to unilateral moves without understanding the other side's red lines.
\n
If US lawmakers can work together with their Chinese counterparts to jointly enhance dialogue, strengthen cooperation and avoid overreacting to differences, they can contribute to helping US-China relations move beyond suspicion and confrontation to focus on communication and collaboration.
\n
It is hoped the US lawmakers make good use of their in-person contacts with the Chinese side during their visit to better understand how China seeks to accommodate US concerns and how determined it is to safeguard its own interests; and how the two sides might reconcile their respective concerns without sacrificing their own core principles.
\n
Li's call for the two sides to treat each other with sincerity and to communicate with the spirit of equality, respect and mutual benefit is not merely a diplomatic rhetoric — but a reminder of what should be the foundation for relations between major countries, particularly in turbulent times.
\n
The principles of win-win cooperation, peaceful coexistence and mutual respect that China has put forward as the necessities for properly handling bilateral ties present a clear proposition: stable Sino-US relations based on those principles should not be optional, but a common pursuit of the two countries.
\n
To maintain stable Sino-US relations entails the US side setting aside its zero-sum mindset and viewing bilateral ties with due pragmatism while responsibly managing differences. It remains to be seen whether the US side, including Congress, is ready to do so.
By proposing the Global Governance Initiative at the recent Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit in Tianjin, President Xi Jinping has made a great contribution to international dialogue which will help the international community address the many challenges facing the world.
\n
The growing global uncertainties are not only impacting economies across the world, but also partly responsible for the widening development gaps among countries. At this critical time, the GGI comes as a ray of hope. It is an example of how China is fulfilling its global responsibilities as a major country, and it reflects the farsightedness of the Chinese central leadership in guiding the world toward peace, fairness and common prosperity.
\n
The five principles — sovereign equality, international rule of law, multilateralism, people-centric approach, and tangible results — on which the GGI is based give it both clarity and depth.
\n
The first principle, sovereign equality, highlights the need for fairness and equal treatment of countries in international relations. The fact that the GGI's goal is to ensure all countries, irrespective of their size, strength and wealth, play an equal role in global decision-making addresses the long-standing concerns of developing countries. Also, sovereign equality is reflected in China's moves, including the establishment of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank — which "finances infrastructure projects for tomorrow" in Asia and beyond, especially developing countries — and the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative that is aimed at improving infrastructure and connectivity in developing and less-developed countries. The two initiatives offer hope for greater inclusivity and democracy in development projects.
\n
The goal of international rule of law, the second principle, is to ensure that rules are applied without resorting to double standards. China's concerted efforts to fulfill the Paris Agreement's conditions and strengthen the authority of the United Nations show how the GGI seeks to strengthen trust in international institutions and rules.
\n
The call to uphold multilateralism, too, is important. Global challenges such as climate change, pandemics and economic instability cannot be addressed by any one country alone. President Xi's insistence on extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefit reaffirms the UN's central role and opposes unilateralism and trade protectionism. China's leading role in UN peacekeeping missions, and proposal of initiatives like the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative and Global Civilization Initiative are examples of how a country can uphold multilateralism.
\n
The fourth principle, a people-centric approach, underlines that the main purpose of governance is to improve people's lives. By advocating reforms that directly benefit the people, the GGI will make sure ordinary people remain at the heart of global cooperation. This echoes China's measures to eradicate poverty, improve healthcare and education, and pursue green development both at home and abroad.
\n
And the emphasis on achieving tangible results, the fifth principle, adds weight to the GGI because effective global governance means solving real problems. Western-style global governance is often marked by lofty rhetoric and lack of tangible outcomes. In contrast, by focusing on coordination, proper resource allocation, and achieving tangible results, the GGI intends to bring about real change.
\n
China's record of supplying renewable energy technology to and building transport and digital infrastructure in developing countries, and contributing troops to and funding UN peace missions shows that its initiatives are always aimed at delivering tangible results.
\n
Collectively, the five GGI principles lay a strong foundation for building a fairer, equitable and inclusive global governance system, and address the concerns of the Global South.
\n
The GGI's broader implications go beyond its guiding principles by ensuring developing nations contribute more to the global agenda. For decades, smaller states have dreamed of having a say in global decision-making. And by ensuring their right to equal participation in international affairs, the GGI addresses their demand, making the international order more equitable and truly representational.
\n
The GGI is also an example of responsible leadership. While some major global powers are pursuing exclusive, self-centered development, China is promoting cooperation, justice and shared progress. This shows China's willingness to help find solutions rather than deepening rifts among countries.
\n
The people-centric philosophy of the GGI makes clear that real governance is not about dominance or competition but about improving the lives of people across the world. By underlining the importance of economic development, healthcare, education, poverty alleviation and green growth, the GGI aims to bring global governance closer to ordinary people. This orientation makes the initiative truly meaningful.
\n
In conclusion, the GGI is a forward-looking, visionary and inclusive proposal that balances principles with action. It champions equality, fairness, cooperation and people-centric development while developing concrete projects that will benefit the people. President Xi's call to build a community with a shared future for humanity reflects wisdom, responsibility and compassion. That the GGI recognizes the fate of nations is interconnected, and peace and prosperity can be achieved only through cooperation and mutual respect makes it a highly valuable global public good.
\n
The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily.
\n",
@@ -1977,28 +1867,6 @@
"hash": "bd058f4b6c5cfd660c708157733a3571",
"highlights": []
},
- {
- "title": "011WORLD - EU banking data rules set to exclude big tech",
- "description": "
Incurring the wrath of the United States government appears to have had a limited impact on the thinking of the European Union, following reports that big tech companies are set to be excluded from reforms to the bloc's financial data market, in the name of protecting consumers.
\n
Challenges to the market dominance of global tech companies have been a regular feature of EU policy in recent years. With negotiations over Financial Data Access, or FiDA, coming to a conclusion, it is reported that companies such as Google, Meta and Apple will be excluded.
\n
The reforms, which have been in discussion for two years, seek to enable third-party service providers to access data from organizations such as banks and insurance companies.
\n
But Europe's financial sector has expressed concern about the potential for exploitation of "sensitive data" and how this could be used by already dominant companies to strengthen their positions. This opinion has been supported by the European Parliament and the European Commission, the EU's executive body, which proposes legislation and ensures that member states apply EU law and policies correctly.
\n
Documents seen by the Financial Times newspaper indicate that the German government suggested big tech companies should be denied access, "to promote the development of an EU digital financial ecosystem, guarantee a level playing field and protect the digital sovereignty of consumers".
\n
Earlier this year, it appeared that FiDA could be abandoned altogether, as it was deemed to be contrary to the commission's goal of simplifying rules.
\n
Kjeld Herreman, founding partner at Brussels-based payments advisory firm Paylume, told The Banker website that proposals suggesting banks should expose all customer data to authorized third parties would be a "little bit like open banking on steroids", and a Commission document seen by the Politico website expressed concern that it would bring in a "significant burden and complexity for financial actors".
\n
Flare-up in relations
\n
But now, the final text looks to be within reach. If, as widely reported, it does exclude many US-founded big tech companies, it could cause a flare-up in relations with Washington that have already been strained this year due to the tariffs row, which has resulted in most EU exports to the US being subject to 15 percent levies. Big tech lobby groups are already warning that the consequences could be less freedom for consumers, rather than more.
\n
"FiDA's original vision was to give people control over their own data and access to better, more innovative financial services," Daniel Friedlaender, head of tech trade association Computer &Communications Industry Association Europe, told the FT.
\n
"Big banks are the current gatekeepers here, not the digital platform," added Kay Jebelli, from tech lobby group Chamber of Progress. "Discriminating against US tech companies would not only deny Europeans new digital services, it would also stoke transatlantic tensions."
\n
julian@mail.chinadailyuk.com
\n",
- "content": "
Incurring the wrath of the United States government appears to have had a limited impact on the thinking of the European Union, following reports that big tech companies are set to be excluded from reforms to the bloc's financial data market, in the name of protecting consumers.
\n
Challenges to the market dominance of global tech companies have been a regular feature of EU policy in recent years. With negotiations over Financial Data Access, or FiDA, coming to a conclusion, it is reported that companies such as Google, Meta and Apple will be excluded.
\n
The reforms, which have been in discussion for two years, seek to enable third-party service providers to access data from organizations such as banks and insurance companies.
\n
But Europe's financial sector has expressed concern about the potential for exploitation of "sensitive data" and how this could be used by already dominant companies to strengthen their positions. This opinion has been supported by the European Parliament and the European Commission, the EU's executive body, which proposes legislation and ensures that member states apply EU law and policies correctly.
\n
Documents seen by the Financial Times newspaper indicate that the German government suggested big tech companies should be denied access, "to promote the development of an EU digital financial ecosystem, guarantee a level playing field and protect the digital sovereignty of consumers".
\n
Earlier this year, it appeared that FiDA could be abandoned altogether, as it was deemed to be contrary to the commission's goal of simplifying rules.
\n
Kjeld Herreman, founding partner at Brussels-based payments advisory firm Paylume, told The Banker website that proposals suggesting banks should expose all customer data to authorized third parties would be a "little bit like open banking on steroids", and a Commission document seen by the Politico website expressed concern that it would bring in a "significant burden and complexity for financial actors".
\n
Flare-up in relations
\n
But now, the final text looks to be within reach. If, as widely reported, it does exclude many US-founded big tech companies, it could cause a flare-up in relations with Washington that have already been strained this year due to the tariffs row, which has resulted in most EU exports to the US being subject to 15 percent levies. Big tech lobby groups are already warning that the consequences could be less freedom for consumers, rather than more.
\n
"FiDA's original vision was to give people control over their own data and access to better, more innovative financial services," Daniel Friedlaender, head of tech trade association Computer &Communications Industry Association Europe, told the FT.
\n
"Big banks are the current gatekeepers here, not the digital platform," added Kay Jebelli, from tech lobby group Chamber of Progress. "Discriminating against US tech companies would not only deny Europeans new digital services, it would also stoke transatlantic tensions."
CARACAS — Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro rejected US allegations of being a drug trafficker and asked US President Donald Trump for dialogue, according to a letter released on Sunday by Caracas, as tensions soar between the two countries.
\n
The letter addressed to Trump is dated Sept 6 and was sent days after the United States deployed warships off the coast of Venezuela and carried out the first of several attacks on Venezuela-based boats. Washington claimed the boats were carrying drugs.
\n
The first attack left 11 people dead with two more strikes following later.
\n
In his missive, Maduro rejected as "absolutely false" US allegations that he leads a drug cartel.
\n
"It is the worst fake news that has been launched against our country in an escalation of an armed conflict that would do catastrophic damage to the whole continent," the letter states.
\n
Maduro urged Trump to "keep the peace with dialogue and understanding in the entire hemisphere".
\n
"President, I hope that together we can defeat this fake news that is filling with noise a relationship that should be historic and peaceful."
\n
Maduro maintained that Venezuela was a "drug-free" country and that only 5 percent of the drugs produced in neighboring Colombia made their way into Venezuelan territory.
\n
"A very relevant fact is that this year we have already neutralized and destroyed more than 70 percent of that small percentage that attempts to cross that extensive border, more than 2,200 kilometers long, that we share with Colombia," he said.
\n
Since the letter was sent, US forces in the Caribbean have attacked two more boats that Washington said were carrying drugs, one off Venezuela and one farther north, off the coast of the Dominican Republic.
\n
The last attack was first announced on Friday by Trump himself, without saying where it happened, and was confirmed on Sunday by the drug enforcement agency of the Dominican Republic and the US embassy there. The attack left three people dead.
\n
Venezuela has denounced the "military threat" against it following the deployment of the US ships.
Waiters and waitresses dash through the streets of central Paris on Sunday during the traditional "Course des Cafes", a 4-kilometer race where competitors balance a tray carrying a coffee cup, a glass of water and a croissant.
\n",
- "content": "
Waiters and waitresses dash through the streets of central Paris on Sunday during the traditional "Course des Cafes", a 4-kilometer race where competitors balance a tray carrying a coffee cup, a glass of water and a croissant.
US-based online payment company PayPal is intensifying efforts to expand its footprint and accelerate localization in the Chinese market.
\n
It is also facilitating the business expansion of Chinese merchants globally by enabling them to tap into the immense opportunities arising from the cross-border digital payment sector.
\n
Hannah Qiu, senior vice-president of PayPal and CEO of PayPal China, said in an interview with China Daily that the rapid growth of digital trade and cross-border e-commerce is reshaping global business. "China is definitely a very important market for PayPal, and all the merchants here are in the center of the new innovation."
\n
According to Qiu, the company empowers Chinese businesses by providing secure, compliant, and end-to-end payment solutions, enabling them to transact confidently in nearly 200 markets worldwide. PayPal is the first foreign payment institution authorized to provide online payment services in the Chinese market and the first foreign payment company with a wholly-owned subsidiary in China.
\n
"China takes an extremely important position in PayPal's global layout, and it has the world's largest cross-border sellers group, which holds an indispensable position in cross-border e-commerce platforms. Therefore, China has always been one of our most important markets," she said.
\n
Qiu noted that China has been an international powerhouse in digital innovation, with world-class infrastructure and a strong culture of embracing new technologies, while Chinese companies are taking the lead in new business models, from livestreaming e-commerce to direct-to-consumer brands.
\n
"In the beginning, most Chinese merchants ride on e-commerce platforms. Now we see more and more merchants actually shifting to the direct-to-consumer mode, building their own brands, and owning their own channels and new business models," Qiu said.
\n
They are seeing strong innovations in areas like digital products, gaming, entertainment and interest-driven commerce, she said. "I believe that China will continue to be the center of innovation in the coming years."
\n
Recognizing this rapid innovation across the industry, Qiu said PayPal is making bold investments in cutting-edge technologies like agentic AI, which is reshaping how people and businesses shop, sell, and engage in payments, emphasizing that the company will help Chinese merchants capture emerging business opportunities and drive sustainable global growth through its advanced agentic AI capabilities.
\n
China's cross-border e-commerce sector has seen robust growth in recent years. The sector's imports and exports reached 2.71 trillion yuan ($381.3 billion) in 2024, an increase of 14 percent year-on-year, said the General Administration of Customs. E-commerce exports stood at about 2.15 trillion yuan, up 16.9 percent year-on-year.
\n
Qiu highlighted the company's long-term commitment to, and confidence in, the Chinese market. "At PayPal China, our priority has always been to help Chinese merchants succeed internationally. This year, through a series of platform enhancements, we are introducing more comprehensive and powerful cross-border payment solutions."
\n
The company recently introduced PayPal Open in China, a unified solution designed to help Chinese merchants grow globally. By leveraging artificial intelligence-powered new products and enhanced consumer experience, the platform aims to enable cross-border business growth that is safer, more efficient, stable and sustainable.
\n
It will step up efforts in research and development, and will introduce more new products and services to the Chinese market, while deepening its cooperation with local enterprises. The cooperation is not limited to local markets, but also includes digital wallets and companies in the overseas ecosystem, Qiu said.
China's first underground salt cavern gas storage facility was made operational on Sunday after a major expansion, significantly boosting the country's ability to manage peak demand and ensure energy security, said experts.
\n
The Jintan facility, located in Changzhou, Jiangsu province, was built within a salt mine and utilizes natural salt formations to create stable underground caverns for storing natural gas, said its operator China Oil and Gas Pipeline Network Corp.
\n
The expansion has dramatically increased the facility's operational efficiency, playing a critical role in balancing seasonal fluctuations in gas consumption, said the company, also known as PipeChina, China's largest energy infrastructure enterprise.
\n
Daily gas injection capacity has risen by 60 percent to 13.2 million cubic meters, while daily peak shaving withdrawal capacity has tripled to 18 million cubic meters. Emergency withdrawal capacity has also increased by 80 percent to 27 million cubic meters per day.
\n
Salt cavern compressed air energy storage (CAES) technology stores energy by using surplus electricity to compress air into underground salt caverns. This compressed air is then released to power turbines and generate electricity when demand is high.
\n
Unlike aboveground LNG tanks, which require extensive safety perimeters and significant surface area, salt caverns located deep underground offer a more secure and compact storage solution.
\n
The natural geological properties of salt formations provide a robust barrier against leaks and external threats, while minimizing the environmental footprint compared to sprawling LNG terminal complexes. This makes salt cavern storage particularly attractive in densely populated regions like the Yangtze River Delta, where land resources are at a premium.
\n
The expanded Jintan gas storage facility represents a leap forward in China's ability to manage natural gas supply and demand, PipeChina said.
\n
Industry experts said that the Jintan facility not only ensures stable gas supply for urban areas during peak seasons, but also plays a vital role in maintaining the overall gas balance of PipeChina's national network.
\n
The expansion project showcases China's commitment to innovation in energy infrastructure, fostering the development of domestically produced, cutting-edge technologies, said Lin Boqiang, head of the China Institute for Studies in Energy Policy at Xiamen University.
\n
As salt cavern CAES technology continues to mature, anticipated improvements in efficiency are expected to drive wider adoption and further growth within the energy storage sector, he said.
\n
Chinese companies have been stepping up efforts in salt cavern technology and compressed air energy storage in recent years, signaling a growing commitment to these innovative energy solutions.
\n
In 2022, China Petroleum and Chemical Corp, the world's largest refiner, put into use the country's deepest underground natural gas salt cavern storage well, running more than 2,000 meters deep. In the same year, the country's first 300 megawatt compressed air energy storage demonstration project was launched in Yingcheng, Hubei province, and was connected to the grid in 2024.
\n
This expansion of the Jintan facility comes amid a backdrop of steadily increasing natural gas consumption across China in recent years.
\n
Driven by urbanization, industrial growth and a push for cleaner energy sources to replace coal, demand for natural gas has surged in recent years. China's natural gas consumption rose 8 percent to 426.1 billion cubic meters last year, according to data released by the National Development and Reform Commission.
\n
This growing reliance on natural gas necessitates a robust and reliable storage infrastructure to ensure stable supply, particularly during peak demand periods and unforeseen disruptions, said Lin.
\n
Looking ahead, the Jintan salt cavern gas storage facility is expected to serve as a cornerstone of energy security, providing reliable energy supply for the integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta region, said PipeChina.
\n
zhengxin@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
- "content": "
China's first underground salt cavern gas storage facility was made operational on Sunday after a major expansion, significantly boosting the country's ability to manage peak demand and ensure energy security, said experts.
\n
The Jintan facility, located in Changzhou, Jiangsu province, was built within a salt mine and utilizes natural salt formations to create stable underground caverns for storing natural gas, said its operator China Oil and Gas Pipeline Network Corp.
\n
The expansion has dramatically increased the facility's operational efficiency, playing a critical role in balancing seasonal fluctuations in gas consumption, said the company, also known as PipeChina, China's largest energy infrastructure enterprise.
\n
Daily gas injection capacity has risen by 60 percent to 13.2 million cubic meters, while daily peak shaving withdrawal capacity has tripled to 18 million cubic meters. Emergency withdrawal capacity has also increased by 80 percent to 27 million cubic meters per day.
\n
Salt cavern compressed air energy storage (CAES) technology stores energy by using surplus electricity to compress air into underground salt caverns. This compressed air is then released to power turbines and generate electricity when demand is high.
\n
Unlike aboveground LNG tanks, which require extensive safety perimeters and significant surface area, salt caverns located deep underground offer a more secure and compact storage solution.
\n
The natural geological properties of salt formations provide a robust barrier against leaks and external threats, while minimizing the environmental footprint compared to sprawling LNG terminal complexes. This makes salt cavern storage particularly attractive in densely populated regions like the Yangtze River Delta, where land resources are at a premium.
\n
The expanded Jintan gas storage facility represents a leap forward in China's ability to manage natural gas supply and demand, PipeChina said.
\n
Industry experts said that the Jintan facility not only ensures stable gas supply for urban areas during peak seasons, but also plays a vital role in maintaining the overall gas balance of PipeChina's national network.
\n
The expansion project showcases China's commitment to innovation in energy infrastructure, fostering the development of domestically produced, cutting-edge technologies, said Lin Boqiang, head of the China Institute for Studies in Energy Policy at Xiamen University.
\n
As salt cavern CAES technology continues to mature, anticipated improvements in efficiency are expected to drive wider adoption and further growth within the energy storage sector, he said.
\n
Chinese companies have been stepping up efforts in salt cavern technology and compressed air energy storage in recent years, signaling a growing commitment to these innovative energy solutions.
\n
In 2022, China Petroleum and Chemical Corp, the world's largest refiner, put into use the country's deepest underground natural gas salt cavern storage well, running more than 2,000 meters deep. In the same year, the country's first 300 megawatt compressed air energy storage demonstration project was launched in Yingcheng, Hubei province, and was connected to the grid in 2024.
\n
This expansion of the Jintan facility comes amid a backdrop of steadily increasing natural gas consumption across China in recent years.
\n
Driven by urbanization, industrial growth and a push for cleaner energy sources to replace coal, demand for natural gas has surged in recent years. China's natural gas consumption rose 8 percent to 426.1 billion cubic meters last year, according to data released by the National Development and Reform Commission.
\n
This growing reliance on natural gas necessitates a robust and reliable storage infrastructure to ensure stable supply, particularly during peak demand periods and unforeseen disruptions, said Lin.
\n
Looking ahead, the Jintan salt cavern gas storage facility is expected to serve as a cornerstone of energy security, providing reliable energy supply for the integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta region, said PipeChina.
Offset paper futures and options start trading on the Shanghai Futures Exchange on Sept 10.
\n
The Shanghai Futures Exchange has marked yet another major step forward in internationalization.
\n
It has from Sept 10 started listing offset paper futures and options, the first such financial derivatives for the cultural paper industry.
\n
Apart from helping companies in the cultural paper industrial chain better manage risks, the newly introduced financial tools will help shape a China pricing benchmark, attracting participation from global investors, said Xu Xiangnan, deputy Party secretary of the China National Light Industry Council.
\n
According to Huang Dongdong, general manager of the pulp and paper business department at Xiamen ITG Group, China is the world's largest producer and consumer of cultural paper. The launch of offset paper futures and options can help build an objective pricing system, providing important benchmarks for domestic and international trade, he said.
\n
The SHFE also listed on Sept 10 options for fuel oil, bitumen and wood pulp. Together with the bitumen futures that started trading on the SHFE in 2013, these four products were included in the qualified foreign investors program the same day, providing access to international investors.
\n
These are part of SHFE's continued efforts to complete its product portfolio and advance the high-level opening-up of the Chinese futures market, said SHFE Chairman Tian Xiangyang.
\n
Two months before the introduction of the new products, SHFE released the international version of its business rules. Amendments have been made regarding rules on market entry, transactions, settlement, risk control and delivery.
\n
According to SHFE officials, such preparation is crucial for opening new futures and options contracts to overseas special participants, intermediaries and clients in the future.
\n
In July, SHFE and its subsidiary Shanghai International Energy Exchange, or INE, were officially approved for inclusion on Malaysia's list of Specified Exchanges. Malaysian investors are now able to trade futures products in the Chinese market more conveniently through their local brokerages.
\n
Malaysia marks the first overseas jurisdiction where SHFE has completed regulatory registration. It is the third overseas jurisdiction — after Hong Kong and Singapore — where INE has successfully obtained such registration.
\n
The launch of yuan-denominated crude oil futures on the SHFE in 2018 served as a major milestone in the internationalization steps of the exchange.
\n
Currently, a total of six products are directly accessible to international investors, including copper futures, low-sulfur fuel oil futures and container freight index (Europe service) futures. A total of 28 futures and options are open to QFIs.
\n
In May, Shanghai natural rubber futures were officially listed on the Osaka Exchange, a Japan Exchange Group company. The contract references the settlement price of the natural rubber futures listed on the SHFE.
\n
According to Yokoyama Ryusuke, president and CEO of OSE, this has expanded the hedging channels for industrial clients in Japan as well as investors across the globe.
\n
Before the opening-up of the Chinese futures market, China's international trade was largely determined by nonnegotiable prices and long-term orders, said Chen Canzhong, deputy general manager of Zhejiang province-based Wankai New Materials Co Ltd.
\n
Due to this, prices were nontransparent and imprecise.
\n
It was difficult for companies to avoid risks in the price fluctuations of raw materials. Sometimes, companies missed the right opportunities due to information lag. When it came to the delivery of goods, there were problems of delayed logistics or a trust crisis, he said.
\n
But as China advances the internationalization of the futures market, these problems are being addressed in an orderly manner. Companies can secure their profits in advance by setting up their own cost and profit management systems built on futures prices, which are more transparent now. More importantly, companies are more confident when they negotiate prices with their business partners, he said.
\n
Tiger Shi, cofounder and CEO of BANDS Financial, said China's futures market has become appealing to international investors as the country is the world's largest manufacturer.
\n
Shanghai has set its sights high.
\n
In a three-year action plan released in April to promote the city's commodity trade between 2025 and 2027, the Shanghai municipal government said that the city's commodity trade should exceed 10 trillion yuan in 2027. The trading of commodities based on pricing offered at the Shanghai exchanges should play a bigger role by then.
\n
This has echoed a guideline on the high-quality development of the Chinese futures market, which was released by the State Council, China's Cabinet, in 2024.
\n
According to the circular, China's major futures products should attract high participation from global investors by 2035. The country's influence in commodity pricing and market competitiveness should be significantly improved by that time, it said.
\n",
@@ -2109,28 +1933,6 @@
"hash": "5c49e7cc0db43473bfc8e95c4023c8ff",
"highlights": []
},
- {
- "title": "018CULTURE - Liu Cixin dissects the popularity of his epic work",
- "description": "
Left: Liu Cixin answers questions at a group interview. Right: Liu speaks to China Daily reporter Shi Futian.
\n
According to the China Educational Publications Import and Export Corporation, Liu Cixin's Three-Body Problem trilogy has sold over 6 million copies worldwide in 23 languages, making it one of the best-selling contemporary Chinese literary works internationally.
\n
In a speech Liu recently delivered to mark the 10th year of the book's international publication, he modestly attributed its global success to two main aspects.
\n
He dismissed the idea that its global appeal lies in providing a sci-fi perspective on China.
\n
Instead, he says, the novel's success stems from its offering of a panoramic depiction of the arrival of an extraterrestrial civilization in the near future, a theme that resonates globally. Science fiction is a worldwide genre where humanity shares a common identity, dissolving national and ethnic differences. It depicts crises and challenges faced by all and envisions a future that unites humanity in aspiration.
\n
"Therefore, science fiction is the literary genre most capable of transcending cultural and racial boundaries, resonating with people worldwide," he says.
\n
The Three-Body Problem books deal with the theme of human contact with extraterrestrial civilizations, a universal issue for humanity.
\n
He argues that extraterrestrial civilizations pose a real threat, challenging common perceptions. Their potential arrival, whether imminent or distant, is humanity's greatest uncertainty and could profoundly transform our reality and fate.
\n
Contact with extraterrestrial civilizations is one of the most important themes in science fiction. However, for many years, alien science fiction — primarily dominated by US science fiction — has mostly depicted such contact occurring in the distant future and far-off space, while more realistic alien science fiction, like Ted Chiang's Story of Your Life, is often limited to specific scenes and fields.
\n
Sci-fi novels like The Three-Body Problem, which offers a broad portrayal of the arrival of an extraterrestrial civilization in the near future, have been relatively rare in recent years, and it is understandable that they have sparked widespread interest among readers, he says.
\n
Liu attributes the second reason for its global success to the rapid advancement of Chinese society.
\n
"For a science fiction novel to have a significant impact, it needs not only compelling content but also to originate from rapidly developing, advanced countries, which is quite different from realist literature," he says.
\n
Science fiction emerged in the early 19th century in the then-dominant United Kingdom. When the UK began to decline in the early 20th century, the center of science fiction shifted to the rapidly developing United States, he says.
\n
Today, the influence of The Three-Body Problem novels overseas is closely related to China's modernization process. This great transformation has made China a country full of futuristic appeal, drawing global attention to Chinese science fiction, he says.
\n
"The driving force of the times should be considered the deepest reason for the success of The Three-Body Problem," he concludes.
\n
Beyond the previously mentioned factors, it's also important to note the significant transformation in world science fiction literature since the turn of the century, he says.
\n
Liu observes that science fiction has matured from a young literary genre while also losing some of its youthful vitality.
\n
"The passion for gazing at the stars and exploring new worlds has cooled, with the focus of science fiction gradually shifting from the cosmos to humanity itself, addressing real-world issues such as racial discrimination, gender conflict, environmental issues and the alienation caused by biotechnology," he says.
\n
This marked the end of the golden age of science fiction, a trend mirrored in Chinese science fiction, where it has been termed "science fiction realism".
\n
However, in the US, the best-selling science fiction novels in recent years still follow the golden age model, such as Andy Weir's The Martian and Project Hail Mary, and James SA Corey's The Expanse series.
\n
This indicates that the principles of the golden age of science fiction still possess strong vitality and appeal, Liu says.
\n
"The Three-Body Problem trilogy, created under these principles, evokes nostalgia among science fiction readers while also presenting new worlds of imagination, which I believe is an important reason for its impact on overseas readers," he says.
\n",
- "content": "
Left: Liu Cixin answers questions at a group interview. Right: Liu speaks to China Daily reporter Shi Futian.
\n
According to the China Educational Publications Import and Export Corporation, Liu Cixin's Three-Body Problem trilogy has sold over 6 million copies worldwide in 23 languages, making it one of the best-selling contemporary Chinese literary works internationally.
\n
In a speech Liu recently delivered to mark the 10th year of the book's international publication, he modestly attributed its global success to two main aspects.
\n
He dismissed the idea that its global appeal lies in providing a sci-fi perspective on China.
\n
Instead, he says, the novel's success stems from its offering of a panoramic depiction of the arrival of an extraterrestrial civilization in the near future, a theme that resonates globally. Science fiction is a worldwide genre where humanity shares a common identity, dissolving national and ethnic differences. It depicts crises and challenges faced by all and envisions a future that unites humanity in aspiration.
\n
"Therefore, science fiction is the literary genre most capable of transcending cultural and racial boundaries, resonating with people worldwide," he says.
\n
The Three-Body Problem books deal with the theme of human contact with extraterrestrial civilizations, a universal issue for humanity.
\n
He argues that extraterrestrial civilizations pose a real threat, challenging common perceptions. Their potential arrival, whether imminent or distant, is humanity's greatest uncertainty and could profoundly transform our reality and fate.
\n
Contact with extraterrestrial civilizations is one of the most important themes in science fiction. However, for many years, alien science fiction — primarily dominated by US science fiction — has mostly depicted such contact occurring in the distant future and far-off space, while more realistic alien science fiction, like Ted Chiang's Story of Your Life, is often limited to specific scenes and fields.
\n
Sci-fi novels like The Three-Body Problem, which offers a broad portrayal of the arrival of an extraterrestrial civilization in the near future, have been relatively rare in recent years, and it is understandable that they have sparked widespread interest among readers, he says.
\n
Liu attributes the second reason for its global success to the rapid advancement of Chinese society.
\n
"For a science fiction novel to have a significant impact, it needs not only compelling content but also to originate from rapidly developing, advanced countries, which is quite different from realist literature," he says.
\n
Science fiction emerged in the early 19th century in the then-dominant United Kingdom. When the UK began to decline in the early 20th century, the center of science fiction shifted to the rapidly developing United States, he says.
\n
Today, the influence of The Three-Body Problem novels overseas is closely related to China's modernization process. This great transformation has made China a country full of futuristic appeal, drawing global attention to Chinese science fiction, he says.
\n
"The driving force of the times should be considered the deepest reason for the success of The Three-Body Problem," he concludes.
\n
Beyond the previously mentioned factors, it's also important to note the significant transformation in world science fiction literature since the turn of the century, he says.
\n
Liu observes that science fiction has matured from a young literary genre while also losing some of its youthful vitality.
\n
"The passion for gazing at the stars and exploring new worlds has cooled, with the focus of science fiction gradually shifting from the cosmos to humanity itself, addressing real-world issues such as racial discrimination, gender conflict, environmental issues and the alienation caused by biotechnology," he says.
\n
This marked the end of the golden age of science fiction, a trend mirrored in Chinese science fiction, where it has been termed "science fiction realism".
\n
However, in the US, the best-selling science fiction novels in recent years still follow the golden age model, such as Andy Weir's The Martian and Project Hail Mary, and James SA Corey's The Expanse series.
\n
This indicates that the principles of the golden age of science fiction still possess strong vitality and appeal, Liu says.
\n
"The Three-Body Problem trilogy, created under these principles, evokes nostalgia among science fiction readers while also presenting new worlds of imagination, which I believe is an important reason for its impact on overseas readers," he says.
Arsenal's Gabriel Martinelli celebrates scoring a last-gasp equalizer against Manchester City with teammates and fans.
\n
LONDON — Arsenal's second big test of its title credentials this season ended inconclusively, with a late Gabriel Martinelli goal sparing it a damaging defeat at home to Manchester City, as it failed to make a telling statement in a 1-1 draw on Sunday.
\n
After losing 1-0 at Premier League champion Liverpool last month — its first defeat in 23 league games against the so-called big six — victory over City felt like a requirement.
\n
Trailing to Erling Haaland's well-taken early goal, Arsenal lacked a real goal threat, with big-money summer signing Viktor Gyokeres again struggling without quality service.
\n
It looked like City, content to sit deep and defend its area, would hold out until Martinelli's deft lob from a precision pass by fellow substitute Eberechi Eze allowed Arsenal to avoid a second league defeat of the season.
\n
"We've obviously gained the respect of the opposition," Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice said.
\n
"We probably haven't dominated a game against Man City as we did today."
\n
Summer signing Eze, and Bukayo Saka, were both introduced at halftime, and, while that underlined the attacking tools Mikel Arteta has at his disposal, it also fueled suggestions that he is yet to find the best way to utilize them.
\n
While Arsenal's record against the big six — Liverpool, City, Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur — under Arteta looks decent, his side has only won one of its last five against Liverpool in the league and two against City.
\n
Those clashes have generally proved pivotal in recent Premier League title races and the fear for Arsenal fans after Sunday's draw is that the team will rue the defeat at Anfield and these points dropped against a City side still in flux.
\n
On the positive side, Arteta is now the first manager to go five games unbeaten against Pep Guardiola in league games (winning two and drawing three), but once the dust settles, he will feel as though an opportunity to damage City was missed.
\n
"That doesn't make me happy, the thing I wanted today was to win the game," he said.
\n
The Spaniard argued that his side played better than it did when beating City 5-1 at home last season, but second-placed Arsenal is already five points behind clinical defending champion Liverpool.
\n
"We cannot control that. They win every match. It's going to be very difficult, but if we play at this level, like we did against Manchester City, we will be fine," he said.
\n
Such was the impact of Arsenal's substitutes, questions might be raised about Arteta's starting lineup.
\n
"They are all going to play. They will all have an opportunity. We're going to need them at that level. There is no question," Arteta, whose side has finished runner-up three seasons in succession, said.
\n
"I'm so proud of my players, the way we played, the way we dominated almost every aspect of the game. Very disappointed not to win the game."
\n
Arsenal is away at Newcastle United this weekend, before London derbies against West Ham, Fulham and Crystal Palace — and the target will be 12 points if it is to keep on the heels of Arne Slot's relentless Liverpool team.
China broke ground on Saturday for a new expressway that traverses the Tianshan Mountains in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, with the aim of opening a new artery that allows year-round, all-weather travel in the area.
\n
The 394-kilometer Duku Expressway, scheduled for completion in 2032, will be built with a total investment of 76 billion yuan ($10.68 billion), making it the largest single highway project in Xinjiang.
\n
It will extend from Dushanzi in northern Xinjiang to Kuqa in the south. With a design speed of 100 to 120 kilometers per hour, it will cut travel time between the region's north and south from more than 10 hours at present to five hours and connect well-known attractions such as the Narat grasslands and Bayanbulak Swan Lake.
\n
The existing Duku Highway, built in 1983 and stretching 561 kilometers, is widely deemed as one of China's most beautiful roads, winding through landscapes such as glaciers, forests, grasslands and gorges. However, it is only operational for four months a year due to heavy snowfall and road icing. Its limited capacity, shaped by the technical conditions of its time, has long restricted traffic flow.
\n
Wang Xinghua, deputy director of the region's transportation department, said the Duku Expressway is a key project under China's Western Development strategy and a vital infrastructure project of the Belt and Road Initiative.
\n
It will enhance the national highway network and establish a crucial economic corridor between northern and southern Xinjiang, fostering economic exchanges, tourism development and regional coordination, Wang said.
\n
Lu Xinhu, deputy manager of Xinjiang Transportation Investment Group, said the expressway will greatly improve connectivity in the region. The expressway's fast transit, alongside the existing leisurely and scenic travel on the Duku Highway, will create a new tourism model and serve as a new engine for regional growth, he added.
\n
The construction of the expressway faces several challenges due to high altitude, complex geological conditions and harsh climate. Lu said the construction will rely on advanced tunneling techniques and cold-resistant materials.
\n
Environmental protection has also been integral to the project's planning. A straight route would have meant the expressway cutting through the Bayanbulak Grassland, China's largest subalpine meadow.
\n
It is home to the Bayanbulak National Nature Reserve and the Kaidu River's National Aquatic Germplasm Resources Reserve, both vital habitats for terrestrial and aquatic species.
\n
"Taking a straight route would have meant the shortest distance and lowest cost," said Yang Song, deputy head of the First Highway Design Institute at Xinjiang Transportation Planning, Survey and Design Institute, who participated in the survey and design work. "But building a road inside the reserve, even with bridges, would still damage the local ecosystem," he added.
\n
So the expressway was designed to bypass the core and experimental zones of the reserves, which meant a diversion of 15 kilometers, Yang said.
\n
Local residents have welcomed the building of the Duku Expressway, noting that it will make travel possible in all seasons, especially during harsh winter months, across the Tianshan Mountains. Some travelers praised the complementary value of both routes — the new expressway for efficient transit and the current highway for leisurely scenic journeys.
\n
Bayankexike, a herder from Narat township, told Xinhua News Agency the expressway is something that had been much awaited. "In the past, winter snow would cut us off. It was hard to get medical treatment or buy supplies. The expressway will make life much easier."
\n
This year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region.
\n
According to "CPC Guidelines for Governing Xinjiang in the New Era: Practice and Achievements", a white paper released on Friday by the State Council Information Office, the region has seen accelerated development of culture and tourism industry. Spurred by a growing interest in road trips and special interest tours, routes like the Duku Highway have emerged as popular destinations.
\n
The white paper also noted the region's enhanced infrastructure development. Xinjiang's transportation network has largely improved, with all prefectures and over 90 percent of administrative areas at county level connected by highways, totaling 230,000 kilometers as of 2024. Meanwhile, the region's railway network reached 9,202 kilometers as of 2024, nearly double the 2012 figure.
China broke ground on Saturday for a new expressway that traverses the Tianshan Mountains in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, with the aim of opening a new artery that allows year-round, all-weather travel in the area.
\n
The 394-kilometer Duku Expressway, scheduled for completion in 2032, will be built with a total investment of 76 billion yuan ($10.68 billion), making it the largest single highway project in Xinjiang.
\n
It will extend from Dushanzi in northern Xinjiang to Kuqa in the south. With a design speed of 100 to 120 kilometers per hour, it will cut travel time between the region's north and south from more than 10 hours at present to five hours and connect well-known attractions such as the Narat grasslands and Bayanbulak Swan Lake.
\n
The existing Duku Highway, built in 1983 and stretching 561 kilometers, is widely deemed as one of China's most beautiful roads, winding through landscapes such as glaciers, forests, grasslands and gorges. However, it is only operational for four months a year due to heavy snowfall and road icing. Its limited capacity, shaped by the technical conditions of its time, has long restricted traffic flow.
\n
Wang Xinghua, deputy director of the region's transportation department, said the Duku Expressway is a key project under China's Western Development strategy and a vital infrastructure project of the Belt and Road Initiative.
\n
It will enhance the national highway network and establish a crucial economic corridor between northern and southern Xinjiang, fostering economic exchanges, tourism development and regional coordination, Wang said.
\n
Lu Xinhu, deputy manager of Xinjiang Transportation Investment Group, said the expressway will greatly improve connectivity in the region. The expressway's fast transit, alongside the existing leisurely and scenic travel on the Duku Highway, will create a new tourism model and serve as a new engine for regional growth, he added.
\n
The construction of the expressway faces several challenges due to high altitude, complex geological conditions and harsh climate. Lu said the construction will rely on advanced tunneling techniques and cold-resistant materials.
\n
Environmental protection has also been integral to the project's planning. A straight route would have meant the expressway cutting through the Bayanbulak Grassland, China's largest subalpine meadow.
\n
It is home to the Bayanbulak National Nature Reserve and the Kaidu River's National Aquatic Germplasm Resources Reserve, both vital habitats for terrestrial and aquatic species.
\n
"Taking a straight route would have meant the shortest distance and lowest cost," said Yang Song, deputy head of the First Highway Design Institute at Xinjiang Transportation Planning, Survey and Design Institute, who participated in the survey and design work. "But building a road inside the reserve, even with bridges, would still damage the local ecosystem," he added.
\n
So the expressway was designed to bypass the core and experimental zones of the reserves, which meant a diversion of 15 kilometers, Yang said.
\n
Local residents have welcomed the building of the Duku Expressway, noting that it will make travel possible in all seasons, especially during harsh winter months, across the Tianshan Mountains. Some travelers praised the complementary value of both routes — the new expressway for efficient transit and the current highway for leisurely scenic journeys.
\n
Bayankexike, a herder from Narat township, told Xinhua News Agency the expressway is something that had been much awaited. "In the past, winter snow would cut us off. It was hard to get medical treatment or buy supplies. The expressway will make life much easier."
\n
This year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region.
\n
According to "CPC Guidelines for Governing Xinjiang in the New Era: Practice and Achievements", a white paper released on Friday by the State Council Information Office, the region has seen accelerated development of culture and tourism industry. Spurred by a growing interest in road trips and special interest tours, routes like the Duku Highway have emerged as popular destinations.
\n
The white paper also noted the region's enhanced infrastructure development. Xinjiang's transportation network has largely improved, with all prefectures and over 90 percent of administrative areas at county level connected by highways, totaling 230,000 kilometers as of 2024. Meanwhile, the region's railway network reached 9,202 kilometers as of 2024, nearly double the 2012 figure.
In a case that has garnered massive attention on social media, Wuhan University has revoked the demerit punishment previously given to a male student, surnamed Xiao, who had been accused of sexual harassment by a female student in 2023, according to a statement released on Saturday.
\n
The revocation by the university in Hubei's provincial capital follows two court rulings made against the female student, surnamed Yang, this year.
\n
In July 2023, Yang accused Xiao of masturbating in public at the university library. On Oct 11, she published details of the incident on her WeChat account, which drew widespread attention. Two days later, the university announced in a statement that it had given a demerit to Xiao.
\n
Xiao's mother said he has atopic dermatitis, a chronic skin condition that causes inflammation, and that he was simply scratching an itch when Yang saw him at the library.
\n
Nevertheless, Yang filed a lawsuit against Xiao in June 2024, seeking a public apology from him and compensation of 5,000 yuan ($702).
\n
On July 25 this year, the People's Court of Wuhan Economic and Technological Development Zone dismissed all claims brought by Yang against Xiao, saying his actions could not be determined as masturbating and it was highly likely that he was merely scratching himself.
\n
A few days later on Aug 1, Wuhan University announced that it would reconsider the demerit it had handed down to Xiao.
\n
Yang appealed the decision to the Wuhan Intermediate People's Court, which announced on Saturday that it had upheld the lower court's ruling. Wuhan University said it respects the intermediate court's ruling and has officially removed the demerit from Xiao's disciplinary record.
\n
The case has been a hot topic on social media. Yang's accusations and subsequent loss in the original court led netizens to look into her academic records. Some discovered problems with her thesis — which had been accepted by the university and resulted in her being granted her master's degree — and discussed them online.
\n
Public concerns sparked by the netizens' findings prompted the university to establish a panel to reinvestigate Yang's thesis in August. After a blind review, the university upheld the decision to grant her degree, citing academic regulations and relevant rules.
\n
While the experts' review identified more than 100 nonstandard issues in Yang's thesis, mainly in expression, citation and format, as well as inaccurate translation and analysis, no academic misconduct on Yang's part was uncovered.
\n
Meanwhile, several Wuhan University staff members from the student affairs office, the School of Foreign Languages and Literature and the Economics and Management School faced disciplinary punishments for failing to perform their duties in the case.
\n
The statement further dismissed rumors about Yang's thesis being rated "excellent" in 2024, as well as false claims that her uncle is an academician or that nepotism influenced her interviews. Online rumors that Wuhan University gave Yang permission to revise her thesis turned out to be requests for her to provide raw data and code for review.
\n
Other online claims — including that Xiao's "paternal grandfather passed away" and his "maternal grandfather fell into a vegetative state" due to cyberbullying — were also denied. The university also said Xiao's studies were not interrupted by online harassment.
\n
wangsongsong@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
@@ -2197,28 +1977,6 @@
"hash": "470a0a71c0050c4c0edb32e7b34d3fa2",
"highlights": []
},
- {
- "title": "006DOCUMENT - CPC Guidelines for Governing Xinjiang in the New Era: Practice and Achievements",
- "description": "
Contents
\n
Preface
\n
I. Governance of Xinjiang by Past Central Authorities: Philosophies and Experience
\n
II. CPC's Governance of Xinjiang: Progress and Achievements
\n
III. CPC Guidelines for Governing Xinjiang in the New Era: Opening Up New Dimensions
\n
IV. Stronger Foundations for Stability, Peace and Security
\n
V. Uniting the Chinese Nation as One Community
\n
VI. Further Progress in Democracy and the Rule of Law
\n
VII. High-Quality Development and High-Standard Opening Up
\n
VIII. Significant Progress in Cultural Development
\n
IX. Continuous Improvement in People's Wellbeing
\n
X. Greater Synergy for Xinjiang's Development
\n
Conclusion
\n
Preface
\n
As the boundary of national governance is defined by where the people reside, the primary concern of a country should always be its border areas.
\n
Spanning five millennia, our great civilization has seen all the ethnic groups of the Chinese nation open up the motherland's vast territory through untold hardships and unparalleled perseverance and form a unified multiethnic nation. Together, they have written a glorious Chinese history, created a splendid Chinese culture, and fostered our great national spirit.
\n
Xinjiang, known as the Western Regions in ancient times, has long been an inseparable part of China and an important gateway of the Chinese civilization to the outside world. Throughout history, successive central governments have established administrative institutions for its governance and stationed garrison troops to reclaim wasteland and guard the border areas. Through millennia of exploration and practice, they have accumulated a wealth of experience in this crucial endeavor.
\n
Since its birth, the Communist Party of China (CPC) has pursued its mission of working for the wellbeing of the Chinese people and rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, including the people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang. Throughout the years of revolution, construction and reform, the CPC has drawn from the experience and lessons in governing Xinjiang to continuously renew and develop its governance philosophy for the region. With new missions and tasks, it has responded to today's new imperatives in its work on Xinjiang, achieving major milestones in promoting reform and development, ethnic unity, social progress, people's wellbeing, and border security in the region.
\n
In the new era, the CPC Central Committee with Xi Jinping at its core has considered, planned and arranged the work in relation to Xinjiang from the holistic and strategic perspective of building a strong China and pursuing national rejuvenation. It has continuously deepened its understanding of the dynamics of governing Xinjiang, set the overall goal of social stability and lasting peace and security, and established the Party's guidelines for governing Xinjiang in the new era. In providing leadership for the work related to Xinjiang, it has upheld fundamental principles and broken new ground, and successfully driven its progress despite the complex circumstances, challenges, and risks. Historic achievements and transformative change have been witnessed in all undertakings of Xinjiang.
\n
I. Governance of Xinjiang by Past Central Authorities: Philosophies and Experience
\n
Central authorities throughout China's history have consistently upheld great unity in their governance, administering the Xinjiang region as an integral part of the country. They maintained social stability, advanced development, and facilitated ethnic interaction and cultural integration, forging a profound awareness and a firm common conviction that Chinese territory must remain intact, the nation must maintain order, all ethnic groups must remain united, and the civilization must be sustained. Their efforts have contributed to the philosophies and experience for governing the nation's border areas.
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Placing the administration of Xinjiang in the overall context of national governance. Xinjiang is China's sacred territory. In 60 BCE, the Han Dynasty (206 BCE-220 CE) established the Western Regions Frontier Command, pioneering the effective jurisdiction and administration over the Xinjiang region by central authorities.
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During the period (220-589) from the Three Kingdoms to the Southern and Northern Dynasties, the Former Liang regime established the Gaochang Prefecture in the Turpan Basin, becoming the first to extend the system of prefectures and counties to the Western Regions.
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The Sui Dynasty (581-618) established three prefectures — Shanshan, Qiemo and Yiwu — further expanding the system in the region.
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The Tang Dynasty (618-907) successively set up the Grand Anxi Frontier Command and the Grand Beiting Frontier Command to administer the vast areas both north and south of the Tianshan Mountains.
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During the period of the Liao, Song, Xixia, and Kin dynasties (907-1234), the Liao regime established Prince of the State Office of Yutian Kingdom, Office of the Grand Prince of Gaochang Kingdom, and Arslan Uighur Office of the Grand Prince, thereby exercising effective administration over the Western Regions.
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The Yuan Dynasty (1206-1368) implemented the system of administrative provinces in the region, before setting up the Beiting Command and the Pacification Commissioner's Office to manage military and political affairs.
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In the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the imperial court established the Hami Garrison Command to manage local affairs.
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The Qing Dynasty (1616-1911) established the post of Ili General and exercised more systematic administration over the Xinjiang region. In 1884, the Qing court established the region as a province, renaming it Xinjiang, meaning "land newly recovered".
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In 1912, following the Revolution of 1911, Xinjiang became a province of the Republic of China.
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Throughout China's history, depending on their strengths, imperial dynasties in the Central Plains maintained varying levels of relations with the Western Regions, and their administration of the Xinjiang region differed in intensity. Yet, all imperial dynasties regarded the Western Regions as an inalienable part of their territory, and all exercised jurisdiction over it. Safeguarding national unity has always been a sacred mission of China's central authorities.
\n
Upholding national unity. Since ancient times, the Chinese nation has embraced the ideas of "shared customs and practices and unified governance across the country" and "great harmony under Heaven", considering national unification "a universal tenet between Heaven and Earth, and a constant creed throughout the past and present".
\n
Through measures including establishing administrative systems, building up military defenses, guiding economic growth, and promoting the code of rites and law, central authorities throughout Chinese history continued to strengthen the concept of great unity. Local regimes in the Western Regions also held a strong sense of being an integral part of China, considering themselves either tributaries or vassals of the imperial dynasty in the Central Plains.
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During the Han Dynasty, King Yan of Shache, in the Western Regions, often told his son that they must serve the Han court from generation to generation and never betray it. During the Tang Dynasty, various tribes in the northwest honored Emperor Taizong of Tang as the "Heavenly Khan". During the Ming and Qing dynasties, local regimes in the Western Regions — such as the Yarkand Khanate — regularly traveled to the imperial capital to pay tribute on a "golden road".
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The enduring tradition of great unity of the Chinese civilization affirms that unification has always been at the core of China's core national interests, and that a strong and unified country is fundamental to the future of all ethnic groups.
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Strengthening governance over Xinjiang in line with local conditions. In China, past central authorities attached great importance to the governance of border areas. On the premise of political unity, they adapted to local conditions and administered the region in line with local customs.
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From Han Dynasty's Chamberlain for Dependencies, to Court of State Ceremonial in the Tang and Song dynasties, to Commission for Buddhist and Tibetan Affairs in the Yuan Dynasty, to Court of Colonial Affairs in the Qing Dynasty, successive central authorities set up specific agencies to oversee ethnic affairs in border areas.
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The Han court strengthened its administration over the Western Regions by conferring titles on and presenting official seals to the heads and officials of local vassal regimes, so as to maintain the ruling order and consolidate central authority.
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In the Tang Dynasty, the same system of prefectures and counties as in the Central Plains was applied in the regions of Yizhou, Xizhou and Tingzhou. In areas west of these three prefectures, local tribal leaders, who were granted titles such as prefect or commander-in-chief, would follow the imperial court's orders and carry out its missions by defending the country's territory and sending troops to battles.
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In the Qing Dynasty, governance in the region was made more systematic and comprehensive through a mechanism that integrated military and political administration and included the Eight Banners system, the system of prefectures and counties, the Baeg and the Jasak systems.
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After Xinjiang was established as a province, the system of prefectures and counties was adopted across the region like the rest of the country.
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All the imperial dynasties throughout Chinese history have integrated the maintaining of a unified political order with governing in line with local customs, ensuring efficient and effective administration of Xinjiang by the central authorities.
\n
Vigorously developing and building Xinjiang. Central authorities across all historical periods of China attached great importance to the development and building of Xinjiang. The Han Dynasty sent garrison troops to convert wasteland into arable land in the Western Regions, a practice that was continued and expanded to the whole region during the Tang Dynasty. By the Qing Dynasty, the areas of reclaimed farmlands had exceeded 10 million mu (approximately 667,000 hectares).
\n
Water conservancy projects have also flourished. The Milan Ruins in Ruoqiang County are a well-preserved and relatively intact example of Han Dynasty water conservancy facilities in the region. During the Tang Dynasty, Taotuo water management offices were established, with officials overseeing water conservancy work. The Qing Dynasty promoted extensive water conservancy construction in Xinjiang, dredging rivers and canals and popularizing the karez system — an underground irrigation system primarily in use in arid regions. By the late Guangxu era (1875-1908) of the Qing Dynasty, the total length of canals in Xinjiang had surpassed 35,000 kilometers, with a total irrigation capacity exceeding 10 million mu (approximately 667,000 hectares).
\n
Xinjiang has been a vital hub of the Silk Road since ancient times. Central authorities set up postal stations along key routes to ensure the safety of commercial routes for trade and exchanges. On the Silk Road, envoys and caravans traveled between countries and continents, their activities spanning over a thousand years.
\n
With the booming trade, a number of cities and towns, such as Yutian, Shule, Xizhou, Tingzhou, Huiyuan, and Dihua, were built one after another in Xinjiang, driving economic development and population growth. The continuous development and construction of Xinjiang laid a solid material foundation for effective governance and stability in the border areas.
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Advancing ethnic integration and religious coexistence. Central authorities throughout China's history regarded ethnic and religious affairs as a key priority in the governance of Xinjiang. In each historical period, people from diverse ethnic backgrounds migrated to or left the region in large groups. Ethnic groups had grown, developed and integrated with each other despite periods of isolation and conflict, forging a bond thicker than blood and sharing weal and woe together. All of them have made important contributions to exploring, developing, and protecting Xinjiang.
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The Liu Pingguo Stele of the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220) and the 883 Tang-Dynasty documents unearthed from the Keyakekuduke Watchtower site in Yuli County record vivid scenes of people of diverse ethnic groups jointly garrisoning the frontier. In the Qing Dynasty, the court moved military personnel and civilians of various ethnic groups, including the Manchu, Han, Hui, Mongolian (Chahar Tribe), Xibe, and Suolun (Daur), together with their families, to Xinjiang to garrison the border areas and engage in agricultural cultivation, strengthening northwestern border defense.
\n
The Xinjiang region has always been a place where multiple religions coexist, and central authorities all incorporated the management of religious affairs into the national governance system. In the Tang Dynasty, the position of Chief Buddhist Monk was established to supervise Buddhist affairs in the four garrison commands of Anxi: Qiuci, Yutian, Shule, and Suiye. The Qing Dynasty promulgated the Administrative Codex for Xinjiang, stipulating that the Motisebu Baeg should administer Islamic affairs without interfering in civil affairs.
\n
The fact that the Chinese civilization has been forged through the convergence of diverse cultures fundamentally determines the historical trajectory of ethnic interaction and integration, as well as the harmonious coexistence of religious beliefs in China.
\n
Uniting all ethnic groups with the best of traditional Chinese culture. Central authorities across China's historical periods regarded promoting mainstream values and the best of traditional Chinese culture as an indispensable part of governing Xinjiang. The formation and development of Chinese culture could not have been sustained without the Chinese written language. After the Western Han Dynasty unified the Western Regions, the Chinese language and writing system began to be promoted, and has been in continuous use in Xinjiang ever since.
\n
Confucianism has a profound impact on the Western Regions. By the Tang Dynasty, Confucian classics had been widely disseminated — numerous fragmented manuscripts of the Book of Songs, Book of History, Book of Rites, and The Analects of Confucius have been unearthed in archeological excavations in Turpan. Institutions and statutes originating from the Central Plains were implemented in Xinjiang, and Chinese institutions and cultural traditions, including the Rites of Zhou, took root in the region, exemplified by the widespread application of the Statutes and Regulations of the Qing Dynasty.
\n
For a century or so since the mid-19th century, confronted with an unprecedented crisis of national subjugation and extinction, the people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang, together with their compatriots across the country, united to resist foreign aggression and fight for national survival. This shared struggle elevated the consciousness of national identity among all ethnic groups to a new height.
\n
Since their inception, the cultures of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang have borne the hallmark of unity in diversity of Chinese culture. Chinese culture has always been the harbor and cultural home of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang, as well as the driving force for the development of their respective cultures.
\n
Over 2,000 years, China's central authorities adopted distinct approaches in their governance of Xinjiang across different historical periods. And Xinjiang has always remained an indispensable and vital part of the unified, multiethnic Chinese nation. Objectively speaking, their concepts and measures for governing Xinjiang had some unavoidable shortcomings: Their governance over Xinjiang varied in intensity, and lacked precision and effectiveness. Especially after the mid-19th century, separatist activities instigated and backed by foreign forces occurred from time to time.
\n
History was calling for a true leader capable of leading the Chinese nation to independence, people's liberation, and national rejuvenation. This glorious mission rightfully fell on the Communist Party of China, which was duty bound to fulfill these goals.
\n
II. CPC's Governance of Xinjiang: Progress and Achievements
\n
Since its founding, the CPC has always held deep concern for Xinjiang, and the future and wellbeing of the people of all ethnic groups living on this vast land. Under the leadership of the Party, the people of Xinjiang have traversed a remarkable path: from achieving emancipation and becoming their own masters, to embarking on the socialist road; from embracing reform and opening up and achieving moderate prosperity in all respects, to setting out on the new journey towards Chinese modernization. Together with the rest of the nation, they have witnessed the great transformation from standing up and growing prosperous to becoming strong. Over the past century and more, generations of Chinese Communists have continued to explore and advance theoretical, practical, and institutional innovations, deepening their understanding and grasp of the dynamics of governance in Xinjiang.
\n
Active exploration during the New Democratic Revolution between 1919 and 1949. During this period, the CPC united the people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang and led them in heroic and unrelenting struggle, bringing them emancipation and enabling them to be their own masters. The founding of the CPC in July 1921 was an epoch-making event in Chinese history. Ever since, the Party has remained a pillar on which the Chinese people, including those in Xinjiang, can rely. In its early years, the Party had given clear emphasis on Xinjiang, sending members to the region to spread Marxism, sow the seeds of revolution, enlighten the people, and raise their political awareness. During the whole nation's war of resistance against Japanese aggression (1931-1945), the CPC — holding high the banner of a national united front — led the people of Xinjiang in supporting the war effort: organizing donations, ensuring the safe transport of international aid to China, fortifying Xinjiang to support the war front from China's interior, and proactively engaging in movements to rescue the country from Japanese occupation. In August 1938, donations from the people of Xinjiang were used to purchase 10 fighter planes — named "Xinjiang" in their honor — to assist the front line.
\n
Thanks to the CPC's persistent effort, people in Xinjiang developed an unprecedented sense of the Chinese nation as one community, and a large number of progressives devoted themselves to the revolutionary cause. Having secured a decisive victory in the War of Liberation (1946-1950), the CPC central leadership decided to peacefully liberate Xinjiang. The People's Liberation Army (PLA) marched triumphantly into the region, shattering the wild ambition of imperialist and separatist forces to dismember China and safeguarding the fundamental interests of the Chinese nation. This marked a major victory in the cause of national unification and a historic turning point in advancing unity and progress among the people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang.
\n
Comprehensive governance in the process of socialist revolution and construction between 1949 and 1978. During this period, the CPC united the people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang and led them in bringing tremendous changes to a region with hard natural conditions, achieving a historic leap into socialist society. The founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC) on October 1, 1949 ushered in a new era: the Chinese people had stood up, and a new chapter for Xinjiang had begun. On December 17 the same year, the People's Government of Xinjiang Province was officially established. Under the Party's leadership, the people of Xinjiang consolidated the newly established people's democratic power, created a new, socialist form of ethnic relations, and abolished the feudal land system. Together, they prudently advanced comprehensive social reforms and completed the socialist transformation, establishing the socialist system in Xinjiang that enabled the region to stride forward with the rest of the country — marking the greatest and most profound change in Xinjiang's history.
\n
On October 7, 1954, the Production and Construction Corps of the Xinjiang Military District of the PLA was formed. A total of 100,000 garrison troops began to open up large swaths of wastelands while guarding the border areas. On October 1, 1955, the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region was formally established, marking a milestone in the region's development and a new success of the CPC's policies on ethnic affairs. In order to end poverty and catch up, the people of Xinjiang pursued self-reliance and worked with determination under the leadership of the CPC to strengthen their home region, supported by selfless assistance from people across the nation. Consequently, Xinjiang has basically built up its industrial system, improved its agricultural production conditions significantly, and achieved marked progress in education, science and technology, health care, transportation, and water conservancy. It has witnessed a historic transformation from barrenness and poverty to flourishing prosperity, secured pivotal achievements in socialist revolution and construction, and created a miracle that changed its future with the people's undaunted spirit.
\n
Further progress in the process of reform, opening up, and socialist modernization. During this period, the CPC has united the people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang and led them confidently onto the broad path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, aiming for greater heights. The convening of the Third Plenary Session of the 11th CPC Central Committee in December 1978 was a pivotal juncture of far-reaching significance in the history of the Party and the country. Xinjiang's vast land of 1.66 million square kilometers was awash with the strong tides of reform and opening up. In December 1981, the central government decided to restore the production and construction corps system, giving it the name the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (XPCC). As reforms rolled out, the CPC Central Committee — noting Xinjiang's great potential — decided to accelerate its modernization and promote common prosperity among all ethnic groups in the region. The Central Committee lent vigorous support to the region in transforming its advantage in superior resources into growth, guiding it to achieve a strategic shift in its focus. Comprehensive reforms were implemented in both rural and urban areas, while opening up was expanded by attracting external resources and strengthening internal coordination, bringing about new prospects on either side of the Tianshan Mountains.
\n
After the Fourth Plenary Session of the 13th CPC Central Committee in 1989, the Party Central Committee emphasized that Xinjiang's development and stability was of overarching importance to the nation. For its development, prosperity, and lasting peace and security, the central leadership pooled resources nationwide in assistance to Xinjiang and saw that the socialist market economy was established and improved in the region. This enabled Xinjiang to seize the strategic opportunities presented by the large-scale development of China's west and pioneer a new phase of all-round reform and opening up.
\n
Following the 16th CPC National Congress in 2002, the Central Committee reaffirmed its commitment to unswervingly advancing reform and opening up and socialist modernization in Xinjiang, maintaining social stability, and promoting ethnic unity. Guided by the major strategic plan of stabilizing and revitalizing Xinjiang, enriching the people, and safeguarding the border areas, the region has achieved sound and rapid economic and social development. In advancing the great cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics, Xinjiang has experienced a historic transformation. Its economy has been markedly strengthened by improving its once relatively backward productive forces, and its society has shifted from a closed and semi-closed outlook to one defined by openness. The people's living standards have also borne witness to profound transformation, evolving from bare subsistence to a basic level of moderate prosperity, and then ultimately to moderate prosperity in all respects. Xinjiang has caught up with the rest of the country in making great strides towards the goals of our time.
\n
A new era for socialism with Chinese characteristics. The CPC has united the people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang and led them in pressing forward with hard work, upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground, creating new miraculous achievements. The 18th CPC National Congress held in November 2012 ushered Chinese socialism into a new era. While pursuing national rejuvenation within a wider context of global change on a scale unseen in a century, the Party Central Committee with Xi Jinping at its core has put its work related to Xinjiang high on the agenda of the Party and the country and continued to further its understanding and grasp of the dynamics of governance in the region. The Central Committee convened its second and third meetings on the work related to Xinjiang in 2014 and 2020, and in 2014, 2022 and 2023, General Secretary Xi traveled three times to Xinjiang on inspection tours, establishing the overall goal of social stability and lasting peace and security in the region, laying down the Party's guidelines for governing Xinjiang in the new era.
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With the guidelines in place, Xinjiang has focused on forging a strong sense of the Chinese nation as one community, adhered to its strategic positioning in the country, and ensured both development and security. Solid steps have been taken to govern Xinjiang in accordance with the law, maintain stability through ethnic unity, strengthen cultural identity and bonds, bring greater prosperity to the region and its people, and develop Xinjiang from a long-term perspective. This has contributed to unprecedented economic and social development and significant improvement of people's wellbeing, and brought a greater sense of gain, happiness and security to the people.
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Today's Xinjiang is experiencing the best period of development in its history. Over 26 million Xinjiang people of all ethnic groups are tightly knit like the roots of poplar trees and closely united like the seeds of a pomegranate. Confident and open-minded, they are marching forward on the new journey towards a modern socialist country in all respects and striving for the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through hard work and perseverance.
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III. CPC Guidelines for Governing Xinjiang in the New Era: Opening Up New Dimensions
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Since the 18th CPC National Congress, the Party Central Committee with Xi Jinping at its core has drawn experience and lessons from past central authorities in governing Xinjiang, and continued to apply and improve the Party's best practices in this regard. It has adopted a systematic and holistic approach to planning and advancing fundamental, essential and long-term undertakings for the region's lasting peace and security. These efforts have explored new dimensions in Xinjiang's governance, enabling the Party to scale new heights in maintaining stability and driving development in the region.
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The formulation and development of the CPC's guidelines for governing Xinjiang in the new era. The rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is interwoven with — and interacts with — global change on a scale unseen in a century. Consequently, the strategic role of Xinjiang has become ever more pivotal to the nation's overall trajectory. Prioritizing Xinjiang in the governance of the country, the CPC Central Committee with Xi Jinping at its core has systematically planned all work related to Xinjiang from an overall strategic perspective and provided answers to a series of questions on the future direction and strategy in governing the region.
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General Secretary Xi has always paid close attention to the work related to Xinjiang, from a place of care for the people of all of its ethnic groups. At each critical stage in work related to Xinjiang, he has provided strategic direction and guidance, personally steering the course of its development. In April 2014, during an inspection visit to Xinjiang, he highlighted, "The CPC Central Committee has continued to attach great importance to the work related to Xinjiang, emphasizing Xinjiang's special and important strategic role in the work of the Party and the country." He emphasized the major principles and policies of the central leadership to improve the work related to Xinjiang in the new era, and the need to "take a coordinated approach in all undertakings with a focus on social stability and lasting peace and security". In May 2014, the CPC Central Committee held its second meeting on the work related to Xinjiang, at which it reiterated its major principles and policies in this effort and established social stability and lasting peace and security as the overall goal.
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After the meeting, Xi presided over a number of important meetings of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and its standing committee, to make plans for the work related to Xinjiang. In September 2020, at the third central meeting on the work related to Xinjiang held by the CPC Central Committee, he raised the CPC's guidelines for governing Xinjiang in the new era, explaining them in detail. He emphasized governing Xinjiang in accordance with the law, maintaining stability through ethnic unity, strengthening cultural identity and bonds, bringing greater prosperity to the region and its people, and developing Xinjiang from a long-term perspective, to build a socialist Xinjiang with Chinese characteristics in the new era.
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In July 2022, on another inspection visit to Xinjiang, Xi pointed out the need to promote the fundamental, essential and long-term undertakings for Xinjiang's lasting peace and security, with a focus on the overall goal. In August 2023, he visited Xinjiang again to hear reports about the work of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region government and the XPCC. He emphasized the full, accurate and faithful implementation of the Party's guidelines for governing Xinjiang in the new era, and the strategic positioning of Xinjiang in the country. With the overall goal in mind, we will make thorough and meticulous efforts to deliver practical results in governing Xinjiang in accordance with the law, maintaining stability through ethnic unity, strengthening cultural identity and bonds, bringing greater prosperity to the region and its people, and developing Xinjiang from a long-term perspective. We will pursue progress while ensuring stability, devote continued and long-term sustained efforts in our work, and build Xinjiang into a beautiful home characterized by unity, harmony, prosperity, cultural progress, and a sound eco-environment in which people live and work in peace and contentment on the path to Chinese modernization. In addition, he has delivered speeches, made remarks, and provided instructions on many occasions, putting forward new ideas, perspectives and requirements on improving the work related to Xinjiang that have further enriched and developed the CPC's guidelines for governing Xinjiang in the new era.
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The essence of the CPC's guidelines for governing Xinjiang in the new era. The CPC's guidelines for governing Xinjiang in the new era represent a thorough understanding of the situation in Xinjiang and embody a profound reflection on the work related to the region by the CPC Central Committee with Xi Jinping at its core. They comprise a complete system of theories with a sound logic and rich content, and sit at the core of all work related to Xinjiang in the new era. Their main content is as follows:
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Viewing and planning the work related to Xinjiang from a strategic perspective. The work related to Xinjiang bears not only on national reunification, ethnic unity, and national security, but also on the initiative to build China into a great country and the goal of national rejuvenation. We must have a clear understanding of the prevailing trend of development in Xinjiang, of the impact of good work in Xinjiang on the overall situation of the Party and the country, and of the work's significance in addressing both domestic and international imperatives, thereby laying a solid foundation for its long-term development, peace and security.
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Upholding social stability and lasting peace and security as the overall goal of the work related to Xinjiang. This means that all undertakings must be planned and advanced to achieve this goal. We should both channel our resources to address the pressing problems in maintaining social stability and systematically tackle the deep-rooted issues that undermine Xinjiang's lasting peace and security.
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Rallying the people's support is fundamental. Without the people's support, all efforts are futile. We must put the people first, have faith in the people of all ethnic groups, rely on them, and be of service to them. We should provide them with guidance, and let them understand the importance of stability and peace, that a happy life stems from the Party's good policies and the hard work of all ethnic groups united as one, and that the development of Xinjiang cannot be achieved without the support from the whole Party and the whole country.
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Fostering a stronger sense of the Chinese nation as one community. This is fundamental to the work related to Xinjiang in the long run. We must focus on fostering a stronger sense of national identity, fully implement the Party's policies concerning ethnic affairs, and heighten public awareness of ethnic unity and progress. We must move faster to build an ethnically integrated society and neighborhoods and encourage more exchanges, interactions and integration among different ethnic groups, so that they remain as closely united as the seeds of a pomegranate.
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Ensuring that religions in China conform to China's realities. This concerns the overall work related to Xinjiang. We must fully implement the Party's basic policy on religious affairs, protect lawful practices, proscribe illegal activities, contain extremism, resist infiltration, and punish crime. We must guide religious believers to foster a keen sense of national identity, citizenship, and law-based governance, and provide active guidance to religions so that they can adapt to socialist society.
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Fostering and carrying forward the core socialist values. We must uphold the guiding role of advanced socialist culture and strengthen the cultural identity and bonds of people in Xinjiang. We must guide the people and inspire them to identify more closely with our motherland, the Chinese nation, the Chinese culture, the CPC, and socialism with Chinese characteristics.
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Promoting high-quality development centered on the people's wellbeing. Xinjiang's development should manifest in the people's wellbeing, betterment of local economy and society, and greater ethnic unity. We must uphold the people-centered development philosophy, and advance economic and social development while improving people's wellbeing so that the people of all ethnic groups live and work in peace and contentment, thereby enabling them to enjoy a stronger sense of gain, fulfillment and security.
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Strengthening the Party's leadership over the work related to Xinjiang. To improve the work related to Xinjiang, we must uphold and strengthen the Party's overall leadership, cultivate a contingent of officials with strong political commitment, professional competence, and exemplary conduct, and ensure the smooth execution of the Central Committee's policies and decisions. We must regard building solid foundations at the grassroots level as the fundamental measure to ensure stability and security in Xinjiang, and strengthen grassroots Party organizations to serve the people, maintain stability, and oppose division.
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The principles and requirements of the CPC's guidelines for governing Xinjiang in the new era. The CPC's guidelines for governing Xinjiang in the new era are the foundation for the work related to Xinjiang. We must have a thorough understanding of governing Xinjiang in accordance with the law, maintaining stability through ethnic unity, strengthening cultural identity and bonds, bringing greater prosperity to the region and its people, and developing Xinjiang from a long-term perspective, and advance these undertakings in a coordinated manner.
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To govern the region in accordance with the law, we should uphold Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law, advance law-based governance, promote its concept across society, adhere to its principles, and implement its requirements in all sectors of the work related to Xinjiang. We should employ law-based thinking and approaches to forestall risks, combat crimes, handle problems, and address disputes, and strengthen law-based and persistent efforts in combating terrorism and maintaining stability, thereby ensuring that all the work related to Xinjiang is carried out under the rule of law.
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To maintain stability through ethnic unity, the fundamental issue is to rally people's support. We should regard ethnic unity as the lifeline of the people of all ethnic groups, safeguard the unity of the Chinese nation, and continue to foster a stronger sense of the Chinese nation as one community. We should make systematic efforts to ensure that religions in China conform to China's realities, to unite the people of all ethnic groups closer around the Party, and to forge tremendous momentum to build a beautiful Xinjiang.
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To strengthen cultural identity and bonds, we should see that people in Xinjiang identify with the Chinese culture. Upholding the core socialist values, we should develop advanced socialist culture, promote revolutionary culture, carry forward the best of traditional Chinese culture, and build a spiritual home shared by all the Chinese people. We should provide education and guidance to the people of all ethnic groups to strengthen their sense of Chinese national identity, and reinforce their political commitment and win their support, thus consolidating the ideological foundations for social stability and lasting peace and security.
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To bring greater prosperity to Xinjiang and its people, we should fully and faithfully apply the new development philosophy on all fronts in line with the strategic positioning of Xinjiang in building a great modern socialist country. Giving full play to Xinjiang's advantages in geographic location, resources, and policies, we should actively support Xinjiang in serving and integrating with the new development dynamic and promoting high-quality opening up. We should advance high-quality development centered on the people's wellbeing, and ensure that the benefits of development improve the people's wellbeing and win their support.
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To develop Xinjiang from a long-term perspective, we should uphold and strengthen the Party's overall leadership and advance the great new project of strengthening the Party in the new era. We should foster highly competent officials based on the criteria for assessing the caliber of officials in the new era, maintain our strategic resolve, and make meticulous plans before taking any actions. We should pursue progress while ensuring stability, devote continued and long-term sustained efforts in our work, and address deep-rooted problems, to lay solid foundations for achieving the overall goal of the work related to Xinjiang.
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The CPC's guidelines for governing Xinjiang in the new era represent both innovations and breakthroughs in theory, and concrete plans and requirements for their implementation. Embodying Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, they encapsulate and build on the past successes of the CPC who lead the Chinese people in governing, stabilizing and developing Xinjiang. They have opened a wide avenue leading to steady and sustained progress in the work related to Xinjiang, marking a new height of the CPC's understanding of the underlying principles in border governance. They are a milestone in the Party's work related to Xinjiang and in the development of the region.
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Under the strong leadership of the Party Central Committee and with the support of the whole country, over 26 million people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang are applying the Party's guidelines for governing Xinjiang in the new era in full, to the letter, and in all fields. Keeping the requirements in mind, they are working hard with gratitude and forging ahead in the face of daunting challenges to translate into reality the grand blueprint for Xinjiang drawn up by the CPC Central Committee with Xi Jinping at its core.
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IV. Stronger Foundations for Stability, Peace and Security
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Social stability and lasting peace and security in Xinjiang are of overarching importance to overall reform, development and stability in China. While balancing development and security, Xinjiang has maintained social stability as a top priority. It has continued to fight terrorism and maintain stability in a law-based and regular manner, preventing and defusing risks in various fields, as well as interference and sabotage by external forces. A historic transformation from chaos to stability and from stability to governance has been achieved in the region.
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Significant achievements in the fight against secession. Separatism endangers national unity and undermines ethnic unity, breeding terrorism and extremism in Xinjiang. In the past, ethnic separatists, religious extremists, and terrorists have engaged in rampant sabotaging activities in Xinjiang, disrupting local stability and bringing enormous suffering to the people of all ethnic groups in the region. The Chinese government stands firm against all forms of separatism, terrorism, and extremism, and takes robust action against any acts that aim to split the country, endanger public security, or infringe upon human rights in accordance with the law.
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Xinjiang is resolute in safeguarding national unity and takes robust action against illegal acts and crimes, including the incitement, organization, plotting, and execution of acts that divide the country or jeopardize national unity. It is resolute in guarding against the infiltration and spread of "Pan-Turkism" and "Pan-Islamism" and strives to root out the breeding grounds for terrorism and extremism to sprout and spread. The hard work over the years has reaped notable results in Xinjiang's fight against separatism. Violent and terrorist events have not happened for many years, and social stability and ethnic unity have been effectively safeguarded in the region.
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Enforcement of regular counterterrorism measures to ensure stability in accordance with the law. This is central to sustaining long-term social stability, peace, and security in Xinjiang. Upholding and promoting the socialist rule of law, Xinjiang has exercised law-based governance in full and across all areas. In accordance with the Criminal Law and Counterterrorism Law of the People's Republic of China, it has advanced the fight against terrorism and continued to maintain stability with standardized, regular and efficient operations within the legal framework.
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The autonomous region government has improved the long-term mechanism for rigorous crackdowns on violent and terrorist acts, employed law-based thinking and approaches to combat crimes and maintain stability, and ensured that these efforts were law-based, targeted, and timely. It has established a system for fighting terrorism and maintaining stability in a law-based and regular manner, and a comprehensive prevention and control system for social security, shifting the focus from the very end to the source and evolving from emergency response to a standardized, refined, and regular approach. Policies and measures have been improved to guard against the few terrorists without interrupting the normal order of work, study, and daily life of the majority of people, effecting a fundamental change more conducive to ensuring peace and stability. Since the start of the new era, counterterrorism and stability-maintaining efforts have achieved significant outcomes, bringing an end to the frequent violent and terrorist attacks seen in the past.
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Targeted countermeasures against foreign sanctions and interference. In recent years, a number of Western countries, led by the United States, have imposed sanctions on businesses and individuals related to Xinjiang on the account of "genocide" and "forced labor" — lies and absurd fallacies they have concocted to interfere in China's internal affairs. Their purpose is political manipulation and economic bullying under the guise of human rights protection. Countering sanctions and interference is essential for breaking the containment of China by the anti-China forces in the US and some Western countries, which use Xinjiang as a handle. It is a just response for safeguarding our national sovereignty, security, and development interests.
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China has promulgated relevant laws, regulations, and departmental rules, such as the Foreign Relations Law, the Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law, the Provisions on the Application of the Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law, and the Provisions on the Unreliable Entity List, taking countermeasures against the unjustified sanctions involving Xinjiang imposed by a mere handful of countries. The Standing Committee of the People's Congress of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has adopted a resolution opposing a series of US sanctions on Xinjiang and supporting the development of sanctioned enterprises and related industries, fighting back against unilateral sanctions by the US. In addition, the government has provided a range of services for sanctioned businesses, supported them in safeguarding their legitimate rights and interests in accordance with the law, given a boost to relevant industries, and created new employment opportunities for people affected by the sanctions.
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Notable improvements in social governance. Sound social governance is a prerequisite and guarantee for social harmony, stability, and people's wellbeing. Xinjiang has applied and further developed the Fengqiao model for community-level governance in the new era, and improved the urban and rural primary-level governance system that combines self-governance, the rule of law, and the rule of virtue under the leadership of Party organizations. The autonomous region has strengthened grassroots governance through Party development and improved the social governance system based on collaboration, participation, and common interests, consolidating the grassroots foundations. It has conducted regular risk assessment, combined with prevention, coordination, and resolution measures, to effectively forestall and defuse any potential risks or dangers.
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The autonomous region government monitors and takes resolute action against illegal acts of grave concern to the public, including severe violent crimes and recurrent offences such as pornography, gambling, drug abuse, food and drug safety violations, environmental crimes, theft, robbery, and conventional, telecom, and online fraud, carrying out regular campaigns targeting criminal gangs and organized crime. It has introduced diverse ways for the resolution of conflicts and disputes by promoting law-based handling of public complaints, advancing the standardized development of integrated management centers with a focus on the county level, and created new forms of dispute resolution such as "horseback mediation teams" and "tea-serving mediation rooms". These initiatives have helped to resolve issues at the community level as soon as they arise. In 2024, 98.52 percent of civil disputes in Xinjiang were solved through mediation. The autonomous region government is firmly committed to maintaining social stability and ensuring people's safety and wellbeing. Significant progress has been made in building a peaceful Xinjiang, providing the people of all ethnic groups with a greater sense of gain, fulfillment, and security.
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V. Uniting the Chinese Nation as One Community
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Forging a stronger sense of the Chinese nation as one community is the focus of the CPC's work on ethnic affairs in the new era and the focus of all work in ethnic minority areas. Taking solid steps to heighten the sense of national identity, Xinjiang endeavors to improve commonality among its people of all ethnic groups, and guides them to unite as one through both rough times and the smooth towards a shared future, encouraging them to contribute to building China into a great country and creating a better life together.
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Faster pace in building a cultural home shared by the Chinese nation. Xinjiang continues to promote mainstream opinions and increase the appeal of the Chinese culture and its power to unite people, consolidating the common ideological and political foundations for ethnic unity and progress. Under the guidance of the core socialist values, it has strengthened public education on the history of the CPC, the PRC, reform and opening up, the development of socialism, and the development of the Chinese nation, and carried out extensive educational campaigns, such as the one on "forging a stronger sense of the Chinese nation as one community to realize the Chinese Dream", to enhance cohesion and forge the nation's soul with shared ideals and convictions. Under an initiative for carrying forward revolutionary traditions and heritage, Xinjiang has built 471 education bases for patriotism at all levels, inspiring officials and the public to love the Party and dedicate themselves to the country by promoting the Desert Poplar Spirit and the XPCC Spirit.
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Studying and exploring the inherent values and contemporary relevance of traditional Chinese culture, Xinjiang has established demonstration sites, where shared Chinese cultural symbols and the collective images of the Chinese nation are showcased; and it has organized regular trips to learn and experience traditional Chinese culture, thus further developing the advanced socialist culture and fostering a stronger sense of identity with the Chinese culture among all ethnic groups. To promote modern civilization, it has advanced campaigns to introduce modern values and encourage modern lifestyles with the help of specialized education centers. It has carried out extensive programs to popularize science and raise awareness of the law, to guide the people in adapting to life of modern civilization. Standard spoken and written Chinese is promoted across the region, and used and taught at schools. As a result, the public has developed a stronger awareness and capability to use standard Chinese, which has united hearts and minds for a shared future through a common tongue.
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Increased interactions, exchanges and integration among all ethnic groups. Xinjiang coordinates urban and rural construction planning and the allocation of public service resources to advance all-round integration for the people of all ethnic groups physically, culturally, economically, socially, and psychologically, so that all are closely united like the seeds of a pomegranate. It has accelerated the development of people-centered new urbanization, introducing a more rational distribution of city clusters and small, medium and large cities, and building an ethnically integrated society and community. This approach makes full use of the mutually reinforcing effect between urban and industrial development, attracts populations with a flourishing industry, and makes it possible for all ethnic groups to live, study, work, and enjoy life side by side, as they contribute and share benefits together.
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Further efforts have been made to carry forward the Foundation Project for young people and expand the patriotic education program that brings Xinjiang youth to other parts of the country on study trips. In 2024, 86,000 elementary and secondary school students traveled to other provinces and cities on such trips. Extensive "hand-in-hand" student activities have been organized between Xinjiang and provinces providing assistance to it, between schools run by the XPCC and regular schools, and between southern and northern Xinjiang. They are intended to create mixed-classes and mixed-dormitories that give students from different ethnic groups the opportunity to study, live, and grow together. Upholding the cultural core of tourism and promoting integration through tourism, Xinjiang strives to heighten the sense of the Chinese nation as one community throughout its high-quality development of the tourist industry. Tourism has become an important facilitator of interactions, exchanges and integration between ethnic groups. The region has also held activities to promote unity, increase understanding, and forge a stronger bond among the people of all ethnic groups.
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Greater ethnic unity and progress. With a focus on unity, progress, and common prosperity and development among all ethnic groups, Xinjiang has implemented initiatives to safeguard and develop border areas and advance common prosperity among all ethnic groups. It has incorporated ethnic unity and progress into the regional legislative work and plans for economic and social development, and has promulgated and implemented the Regulations on the Establishment of Model Areas for Ethnic Unity and Progress, alongside the 14th Five-Year Plan for the Establishment of Model Areas for Ethnic Unity and Progress. Model units and individuals have been commended for contributing to ethnic unity and progress, with marked progress in strengthening and developing a new type of socialist ethnic relationship characterized by equality, unity, mutual assistance, and harmony. As of 2024, there were 101 national model areas and units, 14 national education bases, 1,555 model units and 2,690 exemplary individuals at the autonomous region level and above in Xinjiang, including the "People's Guardian" Bayika Kalidibek and the "People's Model" Burmahan Mawluda.
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Steady progress in ensuring that religions in China conform to China's realities. Xinjiang is a region where religions have coexisted since ancient times. Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Catholicism, and Christianity all flourish in the region. Xinjiang fully, accurately, and faithfully implements the Party's policy on freedom of religious belief by respecting people's religious beliefs, administering religious affairs in accordance with the law, allowing religious groups to manage their own affairs independently, and guiding religions to be compatible with socialist society. Following the principle that religions in China should conform to China's realities, the region has strengthened theoretical and political guidance for the religious circle, and has introduced the national flag, the Constitution, laws and regulations, the socialist core values, and fine traditional Chinese culture into venues for religious activities. Efforts have been made to inspire religious figures and believers to identify more closely with the motherland, the Chinese nation, the Chinese culture, the CPC, and socialism with Chinese characteristics.
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The autonomous region government supports the religious circle in the study of scripture, and encourages interpretations of religious doctrines and precepts that align with contemporary development and with traditional Chinese culture, thereby enhancing religious people's Chinese cultural identity. To ensure the healthy development of religion in Xinjiang, the region has issued plans on training for religious figures to cultivate talent who are completely versed in both classical religious doctrines and traditional Chinese culture. It has strengthened governance on religious affairs in accordance with the law, and supports the religious circle in countering radicalization and guarding against the infiltration of religious extremism. It guides and supports the religious community to exercise full and strict self-governance, improve self-education, self-management and self-discipline, and lead its believers to contribute to building a great nation and realizing the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
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VI. Further Progress in Democracy and the Rule of Law
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Whole-process people's democracy is the defining feature of socialist democracy; it is democracy in its most extensive, genuine and effective form. Acting on this key concept, Xinjiang is committed to the unity of CPC's leadership, the people's position as masters of the country, and law-based governance, and guarantees the implementation of the people's congress system, the system of CPC-led multiparty cooperation and political consultation, the system of regional ethnic autonomy, and the system of community-level self-governance. It has made new strides in advancing democracy and the rule of law.
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Remarkable achievements in developing whole-process people's democracy. By practicing democracy throughout the whole process of elections, consultations, decision-making, administration, and oversight, Xinjiang has continued to improve the institutional framework for whole-process people's democracy.
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The people's congress system serves as a fundamental institutional pillar of whole-process people's democracy. As of 2024, a total of 74,412 people were serving as deputies to people's congresses at all levels in Xinjiang. Among them, 78.69 percent were from the grassroots level, and 69.21 percent were from ethnic minority groups. This composition demonstrates that the people of Xinjiang enjoy an equal status in political affairs, irrespective of ethnic or social background.
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Consultative democracy is an important form of whole-process people's democracy in practice. As of 2024, Xinjiang had 16,121 members serving on its CPPCC committees at all levels, with 49.06 percent of non-CPC members and 46.13 percent of members from ethnic minority groups. These figures underscore the broad representation and political inclusiveness of the CPPCC system.
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Primary-level democracy is a key manifestation of whole-process people's democracy. The system of community-level self-governance has been established for all villages and communities across Xinjiang. Over 85 percent of the matters for decision-making at grassroots self-governance organizations come from public proposals, demonstrating the authenticity of primary-level democracy and its extensive coverage and effectiveness.
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The united front is a powerful force in advancing whole-process people's democracy. Xinjiang coordinates efforts to unite members of non-CPC political parties, prominent individuals without party affiliation, non-CPC intellectuals, and businesspeople working in the non-public sector, building extensive consensus.
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Democratic oversight is an integral component of whole-process people's democracy. People's congresses at all levels in Xinjiang and their standing committees are continuing to improve their scrutiny of the people's governments, supervision commissions, people's courts, and people's procuratorates at the same level in performing their statutory duties. CPPCC committees at all levels in Xinjiang exercise consultative supervision by expressing views, making criticisms, and giving advice to ensure the legitimate rights and interests of the people of all ethnic groups are protected and realized.
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Evident strengths of the system of regional ethnic autonomy. By upholding national unity while practicing regional autonomy, and by leveraging regional features while highlighting its multiethnic composition, Xinjiang fully protects the right of all ethnic groups to jointly administer state affairs as masters of the country.
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Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has autonomous areas at all three levels — regional, prefectural, and county level. It has five autonomous prefectures and six autonomous counties, all of which enjoy extensive autonomy as prescribed by law. On all standing committees of people's congresses of ethnic autonomous areas, there are citizens from the ethnic groups exercising autonomy holding the office of chair or vice chair. The chair of the autonomous region, the governors of autonomous prefectures, and the heads of autonomous counties are all citizens from the local ethnic groups exercising regional autonomy.
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The people of all ethnic groups have equal legal status, enjoying the right to vote and stand for election, as endowed by the Constitution and the law. They enjoy freedom of religious belief, and have the rights to participate in the administration of state affairs, to receive education, to use and develop their own spoken and written languages, and to preserve and protect the fine traditional culture of their own groups.
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Xinjiang respects and protects ethnic minorities' right to learn and use their own spoken and written languages, takes a sound approach to protecting the spoken and written languages of all ethnic groups, and encourages them to learn languages from each other.
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Important advancements in the rule of law. To fully implement the CPC Central Committee's decisions and plans on law-based governance, Xinjiang has actively promoted the rule of law within the government and across society. It respects human rights and ensures its protection throughout the process of legislation, law enforcement, judicature, and law observance, so that the people can see justice served in every law, every enforcement action, and every judicial ruling.
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Xinjiang exercises its local legislative powers in accordance with the law. By the end of 2024, the People's Congress of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and its Standing Committee had formulated, revised and approved 874 local regulations, resolutions and decisions with regulatory functions or on major issues, and special ordinances. Among them, currently in effect are 175 local regulations and 56 resolutions and decisions with regulatory functions or on major issues. They have laid a solid legal foundation for maintaining local social stability and lasting peace and security.
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Xinjiang actively promotes democratic legislation. It has established two grassroots legislative outreach offices at the national level, 23 at the autonomous region level, and 112 at the city level, to extensively solicit public opinions and suggestions on legislative work.
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Xinjiang strives to build a law-based government. Over 500,000 pieces of information on law enforcement were made known to the public by the administrative law enforcement departments at all levels, and law enforcement supervision and inspection were conducted on more than 2,100 occasions.
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Continuous efforts have been made to strengthen community-level legal systems. Judicial offices have been established for townships and urban sub-districts, and people's mediation committees have been set up for villages and communities, both of which serve as legal counsels for ordinary people. A public legal service system is now in place to cover both urban and rural populations.
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Law-based governance of foreign-related affairs has been elevated to a new level. The Standing Committee of the People's Congress of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has revised the regulations on border administration and released the Regulations on China (Xinjiang) Pilot Free Trade Zone, to build Xinjiang into a core area of the Silk Road Economic Belt.
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Greater protection of human rights. Respecting and protecting human rights is a constitutional principle in China. Comprehensive progress in human rights is an ongoing quest of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang and all Chinese people. The CPC Central Committee with Xi Jinping at its core has integrated this principle into the Party's guidelines for governing Xinjiang in the new era, and made vigorous and solid efforts to protect the basic rights of the people of all ethnic groups in the region.
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Adopting a people-centered view of human rights, Xinjiang has made the improvement of people's lives the ultimate goal of all its work. It has maintained social harmony and stability in accordance with the law, accelerated the pace of high-quality development, ensured and improved living standards, developed and consolidated ethnic unity, protected the freedom of religious belief by law, and attached importance to the protection and preservation of the fine traditional culture of all ethnic groups. The rights to subsistence and development of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang are effectively guaranteed, and their political, economic, social, cultural, environmental and other rights are fully realized.
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Unprecedented progress has been made in Xinjiang's human rights cause, owing to multiple factors. The Chinese socialist system offers a strong institutional guarantee, China's high-quality economic and social development lays a solid material foundation, and sustained social stability has created favorable conditions for its development.
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VII. High-Quality Development and High-Standard Opening Up
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In the pursuit of Chinese modernization and common prosperity, none of the nation's 56 ethnic groups should be left behind. Xinjiang has fully, accurately and faithfully applied the new development philosophy and actively contributed to and been integrated with the new development dynamic. The region continues to drive deeper all-round reform and wider high-standard opening up. The foundation for Xinjiang's stable economic and social development has been strengthened, the momentum for growth has been accelerated, and the new development quality and efficiency have been substantially enhanced. Overall, Xinjiang has made solid progress in advancing Chinese modernization.
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Sustainable, sound and rapid economic development. By focusing on its strategic positioning in the nation's overall development, and upholding the integrity of innovative, coordinated, green, open and shared development, Xinjiang has been fully committed to high-quality development, seeing significant improvement in its overall economic strength and historic leaps in multiple indicators. The region's GDP increased from about RMB749.95 billion in 2012 to more than RMB2.05 trillion in 2024, exceeding the threshold of RMB2 trillion for the first time with an annual growth rate of 7 percent at constant prices. Its per capita nominal GDP increased 2.3 times from RMB33,495 in 2012 to RMB78,660 in 2024. The revenue in the general public budget jumped from nearly RMB90.9 billion in 2012 to nearly RMB240.97 billion in 2024, representing an average annual growth of more than RMB10 billion.
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Continuous efforts have been made to optimize Xinjiang's industrial structure. In 2012, the shares of the primary, secondary and tertiary industries were 16.1 percent, 44.3 percent, and 39.6 percent respectively, and in 2024, the figures were 12.5 percent, 39.6 percent, and 47.9 percent. The interconnected and complementary development between the Urumqi-Karamay-Changji Area, northern Xinjiang, eastern Xinjiang, and southern Xinjiang is now fully coordinated. Measures to accelerate new urbanization and advance the regional economic planning and spatial planning for high-quality development have been put in place. The proportion of permanent urban residents in Xinjiang rose from 44.22 percent in 2012 to 60.36 percent in 2024, up by 16.14 percentage points.
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Improved infrastructure. To optimize infrastructure layout, structure, functions, and system integration, Xinjiang has made overall planning for the construction of 10 networks covering railways, highways, aviation, power, natural gas, logistics and computing. Transportation has been largely improved in the region. The operating mileage of railways totaled 9,202 km as of 2024 — up from 4,914 km in 2012. This network now reaches all prefectures, as well as over 80 percent of county-level administrative regions. The highway network has also grown, from 165,900 km in 2012 to 230,000 km in 2024. All prefectures in Xinjiang are now accessible by highway, as are more than 90 percent of administrative regions at county level. The number of civil air routes in Xinjiang now totals 595, of which 25 are international routes, connecting to 17 countries and regions. A network of air routes covering entire Xinjiang and radiating to the east and west has now basically formed. The first, second, and third channels consistently transmit locally generated electricity to other parts of the country, with 750 kV transmission lines extending more than 12,000 km and delivering in excess of 100 billion kWh of electricity to 22 provinces and equivalent administrative units for five consecutive years. Information highway is also taking shape, with optical cables now extending 1.78 million km. All of its counties are connected with 1000M fiber optic networks, towns with 5G networks, and villages with broadband networks.
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Cluster effect of the modern industrial system. Focusing on national strategic needs, and leveraging its natural resources and industrial capabilities, Xinjiang has accelerated efforts to develop a modern industrial system with its own unique advantages. The region is also rapidly emerging as a national base for high-quality agricultural and livestock products. In 2024, grain yield per unit area reached 7872.75 kg/ha, the highest in the country. The total food output surged from nearly 15.18 million tonnes in 2012 to 23.3 million tonnes in 2024, up 53.6 percent. Xinjiang's cotton output of about 5.69 million tonnes accounted for 92.3 percent of the national total in 2024, maintaining its position as the country's top producer for the 32nd consecutive year. The mechanization rate in plowing, planting, and harvesting has reached 97 percent. Xinjiang is accelerating efforts to build itself into a strategic base of the nation's energy resources. In 2024, the oil and gas production equivalent reached 66.64 million tonnes, and the raw coal output stood at 543 million tonnes. Installed capacity of electricity hit 192.7 million kW in 2024, of which capacity from new energy sources surpassed 100 million kW. The Urumqi-Changji-Shihezi photovoltaic cluster was put on the list of national advanced manufacturing clusters.
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Xinjiang fosters its new quality productive forces in light of local conditions. A talent development fund of RMB10 billion was set up to promote the integrated development and reform of education, talent, and science and technology. The Xinjiang Research Institute of Huairou Laboratory has been put into operation, and the National Innovation Center for Wind Power Generation has been officially launched. Exceeding 10,000 m, the Tarim Oilfield's ultra-deep drilling is now the deepest in Asia. The Xinjiang-to-Chongqing Computing Resource Transfer project was listed as the pilot project for coordinated development of computing and power, and the region's first intelligent computing center has been established and put into use. The Urumqi-Changji-Shihezi national innovation demonstration zone is continuing to improve its leading role, while other five new high-tech industrial development zones have made substantial progress. The region continues to improve its support for high-quality enterprises, developing 11 single-product champion enterprises in the manufacturing sector, 52 exemplary specialized enterprises that use advanced technologies to produce unique and innovative products, and 2,742 high-tech enterprises as of the end of 2024.
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Solid green and low-carbon development. Xinjiang upholds the principle that lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets, and takes a holistic and systematic approach to the conservation and improvement of mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes, grasslands and deserts, constantly strengthening its capabilities in safeguarding eco-environmental security. The region has made significant progress in improving air quality. In 2024, the proportion of days with good air quality was 78.1 percent in cities at or above the prefectural level. Water management has also improved, as the region moves towards a more efficient and rational use of its water resources. In 2024, the proportion of surface water at Grade III (good water quality) or above reached 95.9 percent. The water supply program in the Tarim River Basin has significantly raised the groundwater level of the lower reaches, thereby promoting the region's coordinated economic and social development with its population, resources, and the eco-environment. Large-scale greening programs have been rolled out in a well-planned manner, including developing shelterbelt networks in northwest, north and northeast China, which has seen the forest coverage rate increase from 4.24 percent in 2012 to 5.07 percent in 2024. Oases area has expanded by 56.6 percent over the past three decades. The battle against desertification on the fringes of the Taklimakan Desert has been stepped up, with the desert now entirely encircled with a sand-blocking green belt stretching 3,046 km — the longest in the world. Xinjiang's accelerated green transformation can also be seen in the region's active efforts to achieve peak carbon emissions and carbon neutrality, with carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP continuing to drop.
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A core area of the Silk Road Economic Belt. Xinjiang has consciously integrated its regional opening up strategy into the country's overall plan of opening up to the west. Focusing on the construction of "One Port, Two Zones, Five Centers, and One Port Economic Belt", it aims to build a golden channel across the Eurasian continent and a gateway for opening up to the west. Consequently, it has accelerated the development of broader channels for opening up. Xinjiang has established 19 ports, including the Kunjirap Port, which is open all year round. There are 119 bilateral transport routes and 10 multilateral road freight routes. A total of 16,400 freight trains traveled through Xinjiang on the China-Europe Railway Express in 2024, marking the fifth consecutive year that the number of trains on the line had exceeded 10,000. The number of Xinjiang's economic and trade partners also increased significantly from a small handful in the 1950s to 196 countries and regions in 2012, and to 211 in 2024. Trade volume has also expanded, with the total import and export value surging from RMB158.96 billion in 2012 to RMB434.16 billion in 2024, surpassing RMB200 billion, RMB300 billion, and RMB400 billion in 2022, 2023 and 2024 respectively. The platform for opening up has improved further. China (Xinjiang) Pilot Free Trade Zone was approved and set up in October, 2023. Over the following year, more than 9,000 enterprises moved into the Zone, whose total import and export value accounted for over 30 percent of the region's total. The region has also prioritized the construction of the Tacheng Pilot Zone for Development and Opening Up, the Horgos Economic Development Zone and the Kashi Economic Development Zone.
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VIII. Significant Progress in Cultural Development
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Culture nurtures the mind and cultivates lofty aspirations. In studying and carrying out Xi Jinping Thought on Culture, Xinjiang has bolstered stronger cultural confidence, strengthened cultural identity and bonds, and developed the Chinese culture, including its diverse ethnic cultures, with greater momentum and more robust measures. The region has continued its systematic protection of cultural heritage, boosted cultural creativity, and promoted the prosperous development of socialist culture, to better meet the new aspirations of the people of all ethnic groups for enriched intellectual and cultural lives.
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Cultural heritage under effective protection. Adhering to the principle of prioritizing protection, promoting sound utilization, and minimizing interference, Xinjiang has improved its comprehensive preservation of cultural heritage. It has formulated plans for the protection of regional cultural heritage, and released local regulations such as Regulations on the Protection of the Ancient City of Kashi and Regulations on the Protection of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Manas, as part of its continuing efforts to strengthen legal guarantees for preserving cultural heritage. By 2024, Xinjiang had housed 195 institutions of cultural heritage protection at all levels, 150 registered museums, and 9,545 verified and registered immovable cultural relics, among which 6 were world cultural heritage sites, 133 were key cultural relics sites under national-level protection, and 779 were cultural relics sites under the protection of the autonomous region. The region also boasts 3 intangible cultural heritage items on the list of the UNESCO, 141 items on the national representative list, and 567 items on the list of the autonomous region. Xinjiang has coordinated the protection of cultural heritage and the development of urban and rural areas, provided effective protection and sound management for historic and cultural cities, towns and villages, traditional villages, and streets and districts with historical and cultural significance, and ensured their rational utilization. The region has promoted the preservation and exhibition of key ruins and sites reflecting past central authorities' viable governance of Xinjiang. For instance, the ruins of the Western Regions Frontier Command, Ulanbay Ancient City, Beiting City, and the Ili Commandery have been well preserved and put into good use. Also, the construction of the National Archeological Park of the Site of Beiting City, Museum of the Western Regions Frontier Command, and Silk Road and Great Wall Culture Museum has been completed. The archeological research of Xinjiang falls under the broader "Archeological Finds in China" project. Xinjiang has implemented projects such as the protection and utilization of religious ruins on the rim of the Tarim Basin, built the Qiuci Museum and the Qiuci Wei and Jin Ancient Tomb Site Museum, and promoted the protection of the Kizil Grottoes, Subashi Buddhist Temple Ruins, Loulan Ancient City Ruins, and the Nestorian monastery site on the west side of Turpan City. Xinjiang's Tongtiandong Cave, Keyakekuduke Watchtower site, and Mo'er Temple ruins have all featured on China's "top 10 archeological discoveries of the year" list.
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Flourishing cultural and artistic creation. Focusing on producing excellent cultural and artistic works, Xinjiang has improved its mechanism for serving, guiding and organizing literary and artistic creation, resulting in a continuous emergence of excellent works. In terms of literary creations, it has launched the Tianshan Literature Award, and many Xinjiang-themed literary works have received nationwide acclaim, including Ben Ba, winner of the Mao Dun Literature Prize; Distant Sunflower Fields and The Western Great Wall, winners of the Lu Xun Literature Prize; and The Flowers Are Always This Red, winner of the national Steed Awards for Ethnic Literature. In the performing arts, songs such as The Shepherds of Koktokay and Apple Fragrance have familiarized the whole country with melodies from Xinjiang; dance dramas such as Five Stars Rise in the East and Zhang Qian have powerfully reflected the nation's history and spirit; dances such as Markit Under the Sunshine and Grandpa's Samawar have been honored with the Lotus Award, China's highest honor in dance; and the performer of the Shaanxi opera Burning Incense received the prestigious China Theater Plum Blossom Awards. In film and television, Xinjiang-themed films have won the Best Works Award for seven consecutive years, including the highly acclaimed Fade Away Pastoral; the children's film The Little Horsewhip was a winner at the China Movie Awards; the TV drama To the Wonder gained viral recognition and was broadcast in several other countries; and the documentary film Fabric of Lives received substantial praise from audiences. Additionally, the brilliant performance at the Kashi sub-venue of the Central Television Station's 2024 Spring Festival Gala captivated viewers around the world.
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Continuous improvement of the system of public cultural services. Xinjiang has promoted consistent and equal access to public cultural services and channeled quality cultural resources to the community level, protecting the people's cultural rights and interests and improving their quality of life. By the end of 2024, Xinjiang had established 111 public libraries, 118 cultural centers, 1,126 cultural facilities in towns, townships and sub-districts, and 11,783 village cultural centers, providing 695.86 sq m of public cultural facilities per 10,000 people. The autonomous region now boasts 88,800 sports venues, and has established a comprehensive, five-tier public cultural service network spanning the village, township, county, prefecture, and the autonomous region levels. Believing that culture should serve the interests of the people, Xinjiang has made great efforts to ensure every village and household has access to radio and television programs, with coverage rates now reaching 99.26 and 99.37 percent, respectively. The people of all ethnic groups now have easy access to rich cultural products in their neighborhoods. From 2012 to 2024, nearly 1.37 million movie screenings were held for free in nearly 9,000 venues in rural villages or communities and covered all administrative villages. The region has held the China Xinjiang Folk Art Season, Conference on Reading, and village Spring Festival galas that also reached all villages and communities. Additionally, the establishment of the pomegranate seed art troupes has expanded access to literature and the arts in rural areas through regular performances that benefit local residents.
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Accelerated development of cultural and tourist industries. Xinjiang encourages the positive interplay between culture and tourism, and continues to advance the deeper integration of the two sectors. This enables tourists to embrace not only Xinjiang's breathtaking landscapes, but also its profound culture. To advance this deeper integration, the region has worked out a development plan for cultural and tourist industry clusters, the worth of which could reach RMB1 trillion and more. In its efforts to promote the development of sports tourism, sports training and competition, Xinjiang has hosted the Taklimakan Rally, Tour of Salimu Lake Road Cycling Race, and Freeride World Tour. The industrial cluster effect is becoming increasingly apparent in the region. Resources are now being channeled into developing the winter sports tourism sector, with 72 skiing venues and five national ski resorts established across the region by the end of 2024. Xinjiang now stands among the top in the country's winter tourism. Road trips and special interest tours are immensely popular here, with the Xinjiang section of the G219 national highway, the S101 provincial highway, the Dushanzi-Kuqa highway, the Altay-Hemu highway, and the highway around the Bosten Lake all becoming viral travel destinations among tourists, giving rise to new forms of tourism products in the region. The number of tourists to Xinjiang has increased from 48.6 million in 2012 to 302 million in 2024, a 6.21-fold increase, and the total revenues from tourism in Xinjiang were RMB359.5 billion in 2024.
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IX. Continuous Improvement in People's Wellbeing
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Living a life of contentment is the ultimate human right, and a happy life for the people is the ultimate goal of development in Xinjiang. Committed to a people-centered approach, Xinjiang pursues development to improve its people's wellbeing, benefit local society, and strengthen unity. To this end, the regional government works tirelessly to solve the most pressing and immediate concerns of the people of all ethnic groups. Every year, more than 70 percent of Xinjiang's general public budget is allocated to safeguard and improve people's wellbeing, to ensure that development benefits the people of all ethnic groups in a fair way.
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A complete victory in the fight against poverty. Xinjiang was once one of the areas with the highest incidence and intensity of poverty in all of China. After the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, the region prioritized the fight against poverty, pooling the best of its resources and adopting targeted measures to end poverty through hard work and perseverance.
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By the end of 2020, over 3.06 million of Xinjiang's impoverished rural population, its 3,666 impoverished villages, and 35 impoverished counties had all emerged from poverty. Once the specter of absolute poverty that had haunted Xinjiang for millennia was finally eradicated, the region was able to complete the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects, along with the rest of the country. The infrastructure in areas that have escaped poverty has been significantly improved. All towns and townships, as well as administrative villages where conditions permit, now have access to paved roads, bus services, and three-phase power. Dilapidated houses in rural areas have become a thing of the past and the days of drinking bitter and saline water are forever gone.
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In 2021, the first year after achieving complete victory against absolute poverty, the per capita disposable income of residents in once impoverished rural areas rose to RMB14,477, a 2.8-fold increase from RMB5,090 in 2012, with an average annual growth rate of 12.3 percent. The numbers of family cars, washing machines, refrigerators, and computers per 100 households had risen by 14.6, 51.6, 49.5 and 5.1 respectively, compared with figures in 2012, reflecting the broader improvements in people's quality of life.
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Xinjiang has embarked on a new journey after eradicating absolute poverty. It has consolidated and expanded its achievements in poverty elimination, promoted all-round rural revitalization, and enabled the people of all ethnic groups to live a more fulfilling and promising life.
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Steady growth in employment. Xinjiang implements the employment-first strategy and tries its best to achieve high-quality full employment. Employment rates are continuing to improve, with the region's employed population rising from 12.46 million in 2012 to 13.91 million in 2024, up 11.64 percent. The employment structure has also witnessed continued improvement. In 2024, the proportion of people working in the primary, secondary and tertiary sectors stood at 31.34 percent, 14.45 percent, and 54.21 percent respectively. The hiring capacity of urban areas has continued to increase, with the number of people working in cities reaching 8.18 million in 2024, accounting for 58.8 percent of the total employed population.
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People's income has increased. In 2024, the per capita disposable income of urban and rural residents reached RMB42,820 and RMB19,427, an increase of RMB23,801 and RMB12,551 respectively, compared with 2012 figures. Better employment has created a better life for all of the region's people. By improving the employment policy system and the mechanism for protecting labor rights and interests, Xinjiang has safeguarded workers' legitimate rights and interests, ensured employment for those with the ability to work, and enabled the people of all ethnic groups to look for the jobs that suit them best and work in decent conditions.
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Comprehensive development of education. Prioritizing the development of education, Xinjiang has moved faster to build a high-quality education system, and worked to ensure that educational development offers greater benefits to the people of all ethnic groups in a fair way.
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In 2024, the gross enrollment rate of preschool education in Xinjiang reached 102.72 percent, the completion rate of the nine-year compulsory education was over 99 percent, and the gross enrollment rate of senior high schools was 97.74 percent, all above the national average. Educational investment has continued to expand. Since 2012, fiscal expenditure from the central government on education in Xinjiang has reached RMB1.1 trillion, among which RMB47.9 billion have been used to improve conditions of elementary and secondary schools. These efforts have helped to promote the quality and balanced development of compulsory education.
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A student financial assistance system covering all stages of education for every student from disadvantaged families has been established, with the amount of assistance increasing from RMB2.039 billion in 2012 to RMB9.306 billion in 2024. Students in Aksu, Kashi, and Hotan prefectures and the Kizilsu Kirgiz Autonomous Prefecture in southern Xinjiang receive free education for 15 years, from preschool to senior high school.
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Xinjiang has continued to optimize the configuration and structure of higher education. By 2024, the region had 63 institutions of higher learning, 24 more than 2012, and all five prefectures and autonomous prefectures in southern Xinjiang housed universities offering undergraduate programs, a historic breakthrough. The region has further expanded the scale of vocational education, with the number of students in vocational schools growing by 60.69 percent between 2012 and 2024 to reach 575,000. Through the establishment of a modern vocational education system, Xinjiang has cultivated a large number of highly skilled workers.
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Improved and optimized health service system. Xinjiang continues to improve its policies on promoting public health and has significantly increased its protection of people's health. By 2024, Xinjiang had over 19,000 medical institutions of various types at all levels and 314,600 staff in the healthcare system. The number of beds in medical institutions per thousand people in 2024 was 7.85, the number of licensed and assistant doctors was 3.19, and the number of registered nurses was 4.12.
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The service system has continued to improve. Xinjiang has established a total of 55 national-level key clinical specialties, 358 key clinical specialties and 54 specialty alliances at the autonomous region level, and 74 telemedicine coordination networks, all of which ensure that the people of all ethnic groups have access to affordable and effective medical services. It has worked to increase the availability of quality medical resources and ensure such resources are channeled towards the community level. The proportion of Xinjiang's closely integrated medical and health consortia at the county level has reached 86.05 percent, with all town and township health centers and village clinics in the region operating up to standards. Local patients can now obtain treatment for everyday health issues at the community level, for common illnesses in counties and prefectures, and for serious diseases within the autonomous region.
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Xinjiang has worked to build an international medical center and make it a signature and demonstration medical project in the core area of the Silk Road Economic Belt. It has sped up the development of three regional medical centers at the national level and four regional medical centers at the autonomous region level, and worked to fulfill their designated roles to ensure all people have access to medical services of higher quality.
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The region's ability to safeguard public health has seen significant improvement. Disease prevention and control centers and health monitoring institutions in 14 prefectures, autonomous prefectures and cities, and 96 counties, county-level cities, and districts in Xinjiang have been restructured to improve the system for disease prevention and control. The development of the health sector has helped improve people's health, with the average life expectancy in the region increasing from 30 years in 1949 to 77 years in 2024.
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An upgraded social security net. Xinjiang has continued to improve the multitiered social security system that covers the entire population in the urban and rural areas, see that it is fair, unified, reliable, well-regulated and sustainable, and speed up the formation of a strong safety net to ensure people's wellbeing.
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By the end of 2024, the number of people under the basic old-age pension scheme and the basic medical insurance system in Xinjiang stood at 16.91 million and 23.67 million respectively, each accounting for over 95 percent of Xinjiang's total population in their category. The number of people under the unemployment insurance and work-related injury insurance exceeded 4.19 million and 5.43 million, respectively, in the same period. While improving its social security system across the board, Xinjiang has worked to upgrade its services to ensure that the fruits of reform and development can benefit more people in a fair way.
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Xinjiang has established and improved the dynamic growth mechanism for social assistance standards and the price-linked adjustment mechanism for social assistance and social security standards. Since 2012, Xinjiang has increased the subsistence allowance 13 consecutive times to meet the people's basic living needs.
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X. Greater Synergy for Xinjiang's Development
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China's great achievements in the new era have been forged through the hard work of the Party and the people. The historic success in all undertakings in Xinjiang and all the epoch-making changes are fundamentally attributed to the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Xi Jinping at its core. It is the result of unconditional assistance from all parts of the country and the hard work of the people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang.
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The Party and the country's solid support — the foundation for Xinjiang's development. The CPC's firm leadership is the greatest political strength for Xinjiang to overcome all challenges and press forward on the path of Chinese modernization. The CPC Central Committee with Xi Jinping at its core has given utmost attention to Xinjiang's development by setting the Party's guidelines for governing Xinjiang in the new era, delineating Xinjiang's five strategic roles in national development, and issuing policy measures for improving people's wellbeing, strengthening social cohesion, and promoting high-quality economic and social development in the region. The Party central leadership has ensured that fundamental principles are upheld in the work related to Xinjiang while breaking new ground.
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Under the unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee, the whole Party and the entire nation have adopted a unified approach to national development through overall planning and coordinated action. In the case of Xinjiang, the country has put in place mechanisms under which central departments provide policy support and guidance, provincial and municipal governments cooperate and provide assistance, and Xinjiang's government plays a principal role. These mechanisms have created great synergy for the autonomous region's development.
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The central government provides special support for Xinjiang in terms of funds, projects, preferential policies, industry support, and investments. Since 2012, it has allocated more than RMB4 trillion in transfer payments to Xinjiang, including nearly RMB543.48 billion in 2024 alone.
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The firm leadership of the Party Central Committee and its solid support provide fundamental guidance for Xinjiang-related work in the new era, giving it a strong impetus.
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Notable improvements in paired assistance to Xinjiang. Paired assistance is a strategic policy measure to maintain lasting stability, peace and security in Xinjiang. Central Party and government departments, state-owned enterprises directly administered by the central government, and designated provinces and municipalities provide paired assistance to Xinjiang on a comprehensive, targeted and long-term basis. These assistance efforts include dispatching officials and professionals, implementing projects in specific industries, advancing sci-tech and education development, providing medical and health services, and promoting culture and tourism.
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Since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, the central government has allocated over RMB200 billion in paired assistance funds for Xinjiang, secured RMB3 trillion in investments for economic cooperation projects, and introduced more than 15,000 enterprises into the region, helping Xinjiang onto a path of high-quality development.
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Paired assistance to Xinjiang prioritizes safeguarding and improving people's wellbeing. During the 14th Five-year Plan period (2021-2025), 89.2 percent of assistance funds for Xinjiang were earmarked for projects related to the people's wellbeing, and 91.3 percent of funds served grassroots needs, improving the welfare of the people from all ethnic groups.
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Under this mechanism, large groups of officials from other parts of the country have been selected and dispatched to work in Xinjiang, and Xinjiang's grassroots officials have received training in more developed places that provide assistance, thereby increasing communication and exchanges between them. Cultural exchanges have been organized to boost communication between people from various ethnic groups in and outside Xinjiang, at multiple levels and in diverse forms. Officials and professionals stationed in Xinjiang have provided effective assistance with selfless devotion, and strengthened the bond between people in Xinjiang and in other parts of the country, helping build a strong synergy for realizing the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation.
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Civil-military integration — new impetus for Xinjiang's development. The Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps serves as a major strategic force for realizing Xinjiang's development goals. Upholding the policy of coordination between civilian and military sectors, the autonomous region and the Corps have aligned themselves in designing strategic plans, formulating overarching plans, dovetailing special plans, and coordinating local plans. This integrated approach aims to foster development by leveraging complementary strengths and building close-knit communities.
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Xinjiang has improved the mechanisms for civil-military integration through innovative practices. The civilian and military sectors have jointly implemented a group of key infrastructure projects, including three 10 million-kW new energy bases in Hami City, the Zhundong Economic-Technological Development Park, and around the Tarim Basin. They have worked together to promote high-quality development of platforms for opening up, such as pilot free trade zones, comprehensive bonded areas, pilot zones for development and opening up, and economic and technological development zones.
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The civilian and military sectors in Xinjiang have promoted resource sharing and service integration. Twenty higher education institutions, 40 secondary vocational schools, and 590 kindergartens, elementary schools and secondary schools have been respectively paired up for mutual assistance, while a total of 196 medical partnerships have been established.
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Civil-military integration in Xinjiang is going wider and deeper, contributing to common development through unity and mutual assistance and by leveraging complementary strengths.
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Building a beautiful home through hard work. Today's Xinjiang is characterized by social stability and harmony, ethnic unity and progress, and a strong development momentum. It is a region of cultural prosperity and religious harmony where the people enjoy peace and contentment in life and work. The vast lands on both sides of the Tianshan Mountains are enjoying peace and pulsating with vigor and energy.
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Under the firm leadership of the CPC Central Committee, and with the strong support of the entire nation, the more than 26 million people in Xinjiang are working hard to achieve greater progress, bearing in mind the Party's hopes in them. Following the Party's guidelines for governing Xinjiang in the new era in full, to the letter, and in all fields, they uphold the overall goal of stability, peace and security, and focus their work on fostering a stronger sense of the Chinese nation as one community. They have fulfilled their principal role and contributed substantial efforts in advancing Xinjiang's development, an endeavor of fundamental, indispensable and long-term significance to China's overall development.
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With unprecedented initiative and a strong motivation to create history, they are adding Xinjiang's chapters to the annals of Chinese modernization with unparalleled confidence, striving to turn into reality the grand blueprint for Xinjiang drawn up by the Party Central Committee with Xi Jinping at its core.
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Conclusion
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In the mighty tides of history, we must temper our will and character to prepare for new journeys and surmount new obstacles that come before us.
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The great achievements in pursuing reform, development and stability in Xinjiang in the new era are, fundamentally, attributed to the leadership by General Secretary Xi Jinping as the core of both the CPC Central Committee and the entire Party, to the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and to the full, accurate and faithful implementation of the Party's guidelines for governing Xinjiang in the new era.
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Following the guidelines, we have made a historic leap in the system and capacity for governing border areas, and have found the right way of ensuring both development and security in these areas, driving forward the Xinjiang practice in China's modernization, and achieving the overall goal of social stability and lasting peace and security in the region.
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However distant as it may seem, a dream can be achieved as long as we pursue it; however lofty as it may appear, a goal is attainable as long as we work for it. This year marks the 70th anniversary of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Looking ahead, in the grand endeavors on either side of the Tianshan Mountains and on the great journey of China's modernization, the Party's guidelines for governing Xinjiang in the new era will undoubtedly demonstrate its enduring effectiveness while continually developing and being enriched. Following their guidance, Xinjiang will embark on an increasingly broad development path and embrace an even brighter future.
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Contents
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Preface
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I. Governance of Xinjiang by Past Central Authorities: Philosophies and Experience
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II. CPC's Governance of Xinjiang: Progress and Achievements
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III. CPC Guidelines for Governing Xinjiang in the New Era: Opening Up New Dimensions
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IV. Stronger Foundations for Stability, Peace and Security
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V. Uniting the Chinese Nation as One Community
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VI. Further Progress in Democracy and the Rule of Law
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VII. High-Quality Development and High-Standard Opening Up
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VIII. Significant Progress in Cultural Development
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IX. Continuous Improvement in People's Wellbeing
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X. Greater Synergy for Xinjiang's Development
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Conclusion
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Preface
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As the boundary of national governance is defined by where the people reside, the primary concern of a country should always be its border areas.
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Spanning five millennia, our great civilization has seen all the ethnic groups of the Chinese nation open up the motherland's vast territory through untold hardships and unparalleled perseverance and form a unified multiethnic nation. Together, they have written a glorious Chinese history, created a splendid Chinese culture, and fostered our great national spirit.
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Xinjiang, known as the Western Regions in ancient times, has long been an inseparable part of China and an important gateway of the Chinese civilization to the outside world. Throughout history, successive central governments have established administrative institutions for its governance and stationed garrison troops to reclaim wasteland and guard the border areas. Through millennia of exploration and practice, they have accumulated a wealth of experience in this crucial endeavor.
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Since its birth, the Communist Party of China (CPC) has pursued its mission of working for the wellbeing of the Chinese people and rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, including the people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang. Throughout the years of revolution, construction and reform, the CPC has drawn from the experience and lessons in governing Xinjiang to continuously renew and develop its governance philosophy for the region. With new missions and tasks, it has responded to today's new imperatives in its work on Xinjiang, achieving major milestones in promoting reform and development, ethnic unity, social progress, people's wellbeing, and border security in the region.
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In the new era, the CPC Central Committee with Xi Jinping at its core has considered, planned and arranged the work in relation to Xinjiang from the holistic and strategic perspective of building a strong China and pursuing national rejuvenation. It has continuously deepened its understanding of the dynamics of governing Xinjiang, set the overall goal of social stability and lasting peace and security, and established the Party's guidelines for governing Xinjiang in the new era. In providing leadership for the work related to Xinjiang, it has upheld fundamental principles and broken new ground, and successfully driven its progress despite the complex circumstances, challenges, and risks. Historic achievements and transformative change have been witnessed in all undertakings of Xinjiang.
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I. Governance of Xinjiang by Past Central Authorities: Philosophies and Experience
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Central authorities throughout China's history have consistently upheld great unity in their governance, administering the Xinjiang region as an integral part of the country. They maintained social stability, advanced development, and facilitated ethnic interaction and cultural integration, forging a profound awareness and a firm common conviction that Chinese territory must remain intact, the nation must maintain order, all ethnic groups must remain united, and the civilization must be sustained. Their efforts have contributed to the philosophies and experience for governing the nation's border areas.
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Placing the administration of Xinjiang in the overall context of national governance. Xinjiang is China's sacred territory. In 60 BCE, the Han Dynasty (206 BCE-220 CE) established the Western Regions Frontier Command, pioneering the effective jurisdiction and administration over the Xinjiang region by central authorities.
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During the period (220-589) from the Three Kingdoms to the Southern and Northern Dynasties, the Former Liang regime established the Gaochang Prefecture in the Turpan Basin, becoming the first to extend the system of prefectures and counties to the Western Regions.
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The Sui Dynasty (581-618) established three prefectures — Shanshan, Qiemo and Yiwu — further expanding the system in the region.
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The Tang Dynasty (618-907) successively set up the Grand Anxi Frontier Command and the Grand Beiting Frontier Command to administer the vast areas both north and south of the Tianshan Mountains.
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During the period of the Liao, Song, Xixia, and Kin dynasties (907-1234), the Liao regime established Prince of the State Office of Yutian Kingdom, Office of the Grand Prince of Gaochang Kingdom, and Arslan Uighur Office of the Grand Prince, thereby exercising effective administration over the Western Regions.
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The Yuan Dynasty (1206-1368) implemented the system of administrative provinces in the region, before setting up the Beiting Command and the Pacification Commissioner's Office to manage military and political affairs.
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In the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the imperial court established the Hami Garrison Command to manage local affairs.
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The Qing Dynasty (1616-1911) established the post of Ili General and exercised more systematic administration over the Xinjiang region. In 1884, the Qing court established the region as a province, renaming it Xinjiang, meaning "land newly recovered".
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In 1912, following the Revolution of 1911, Xinjiang became a province of the Republic of China.
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Throughout China's history, depending on their strengths, imperial dynasties in the Central Plains maintained varying levels of relations with the Western Regions, and their administration of the Xinjiang region differed in intensity. Yet, all imperial dynasties regarded the Western Regions as an inalienable part of their territory, and all exercised jurisdiction over it. Safeguarding national unity has always been a sacred mission of China's central authorities.
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Upholding national unity. Since ancient times, the Chinese nation has embraced the ideas of "shared customs and practices and unified governance across the country" and "great harmony under Heaven", considering national unification "a universal tenet between Heaven and Earth, and a constant creed throughout the past and present".
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Through measures including establishing administrative systems, building up military defenses, guiding economic growth, and promoting the code of rites and law, central authorities throughout Chinese history continued to strengthen the concept of great unity. Local regimes in the Western Regions also held a strong sense of being an integral part of China, considering themselves either tributaries or vassals of the imperial dynasty in the Central Plains.
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During the Han Dynasty, King Yan of Shache, in the Western Regions, often told his son that they must serve the Han court from generation to generation and never betray it. During the Tang Dynasty, various tribes in the northwest honored Emperor Taizong of Tang as the "Heavenly Khan". During the Ming and Qing dynasties, local regimes in the Western Regions — such as the Yarkand Khanate — regularly traveled to the imperial capital to pay tribute on a "golden road".
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The enduring tradition of great unity of the Chinese civilization affirms that unification has always been at the core of China's core national interests, and that a strong and unified country is fundamental to the future of all ethnic groups.
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Strengthening governance over Xinjiang in line with local conditions. In China, past central authorities attached great importance to the governance of border areas. On the premise of political unity, they adapted to local conditions and administered the region in line with local customs.
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From Han Dynasty's Chamberlain for Dependencies, to Court of State Ceremonial in the Tang and Song dynasties, to Commission for Buddhist and Tibetan Affairs in the Yuan Dynasty, to Court of Colonial Affairs in the Qing Dynasty, successive central authorities set up specific agencies to oversee ethnic affairs in border areas.
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The Han court strengthened its administration over the Western Regions by conferring titles on and presenting official seals to the heads and officials of local vassal regimes, so as to maintain the ruling order and consolidate central authority.
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In the Tang Dynasty, the same system of prefectures and counties as in the Central Plains was applied in the regions of Yizhou, Xizhou and Tingzhou. In areas west of these three prefectures, local tribal leaders, who were granted titles such as prefect or commander-in-chief, would follow the imperial court's orders and carry out its missions by defending the country's territory and sending troops to battles.
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In the Qing Dynasty, governance in the region was made more systematic and comprehensive through a mechanism that integrated military and political administration and included the Eight Banners system, the system of prefectures and counties, the Baeg and the Jasak systems.
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After Xinjiang was established as a province, the system of prefectures and counties was adopted across the region like the rest of the country.
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All the imperial dynasties throughout Chinese history have integrated the maintaining of a unified political order with governing in line with local customs, ensuring efficient and effective administration of Xinjiang by the central authorities.
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Vigorously developing and building Xinjiang. Central authorities across all historical periods of China attached great importance to the development and building of Xinjiang. The Han Dynasty sent garrison troops to convert wasteland into arable land in the Western Regions, a practice that was continued and expanded to the whole region during the Tang Dynasty. By the Qing Dynasty, the areas of reclaimed farmlands had exceeded 10 million mu (approximately 667,000 hectares).
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Water conservancy projects have also flourished. The Milan Ruins in Ruoqiang County are a well-preserved and relatively intact example of Han Dynasty water conservancy facilities in the region. During the Tang Dynasty, Taotuo water management offices were established, with officials overseeing water conservancy work. The Qing Dynasty promoted extensive water conservancy construction in Xinjiang, dredging rivers and canals and popularizing the karez system — an underground irrigation system primarily in use in arid regions. By the late Guangxu era (1875-1908) of the Qing Dynasty, the total length of canals in Xinjiang had surpassed 35,000 kilometers, with a total irrigation capacity exceeding 10 million mu (approximately 667,000 hectares).
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Xinjiang has been a vital hub of the Silk Road since ancient times. Central authorities set up postal stations along key routes to ensure the safety of commercial routes for trade and exchanges. On the Silk Road, envoys and caravans traveled between countries and continents, their activities spanning over a thousand years.
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With the booming trade, a number of cities and towns, such as Yutian, Shule, Xizhou, Tingzhou, Huiyuan, and Dihua, were built one after another in Xinjiang, driving economic development and population growth. The continuous development and construction of Xinjiang laid a solid material foundation for effective governance and stability in the border areas.
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Advancing ethnic integration and religious coexistence. Central authorities throughout China's history regarded ethnic and religious affairs as a key priority in the governance of Xinjiang. In each historical period, people from diverse ethnic backgrounds migrated to or left the region in large groups. Ethnic groups had grown, developed and integrated with each other despite periods of isolation and conflict, forging a bond thicker than blood and sharing weal and woe together. All of them have made important contributions to exploring, developing, and protecting Xinjiang.
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The Liu Pingguo Stele of the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220) and the 883 Tang-Dynasty documents unearthed from the Keyakekuduke Watchtower site in Yuli County record vivid scenes of people of diverse ethnic groups jointly garrisoning the frontier. In the Qing Dynasty, the court moved military personnel and civilians of various ethnic groups, including the Manchu, Han, Hui, Mongolian (Chahar Tribe), Xibe, and Suolun (Daur), together with their families, to Xinjiang to garrison the border areas and engage in agricultural cultivation, strengthening northwestern border defense.
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The Xinjiang region has always been a place where multiple religions coexist, and central authorities all incorporated the management of religious affairs into the national governance system. In the Tang Dynasty, the position of Chief Buddhist Monk was established to supervise Buddhist affairs in the four garrison commands of Anxi: Qiuci, Yutian, Shule, and Suiye. The Qing Dynasty promulgated the Administrative Codex for Xinjiang, stipulating that the Motisebu Baeg should administer Islamic affairs without interfering in civil affairs.
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The fact that the Chinese civilization has been forged through the convergence of diverse cultures fundamentally determines the historical trajectory of ethnic interaction and integration, as well as the harmonious coexistence of religious beliefs in China.
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Uniting all ethnic groups with the best of traditional Chinese culture. Central authorities across China's historical periods regarded promoting mainstream values and the best of traditional Chinese culture as an indispensable part of governing Xinjiang. The formation and development of Chinese culture could not have been sustained without the Chinese written language. After the Western Han Dynasty unified the Western Regions, the Chinese language and writing system began to be promoted, and has been in continuous use in Xinjiang ever since.
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Confucianism has a profound impact on the Western Regions. By the Tang Dynasty, Confucian classics had been widely disseminated — numerous fragmented manuscripts of the Book of Songs, Book of History, Book of Rites, and The Analects of Confucius have been unearthed in archeological excavations in Turpan. Institutions and statutes originating from the Central Plains were implemented in Xinjiang, and Chinese institutions and cultural traditions, including the Rites of Zhou, took root in the region, exemplified by the widespread application of the Statutes and Regulations of the Qing Dynasty.
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For a century or so since the mid-19th century, confronted with an unprecedented crisis of national subjugation and extinction, the people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang, together with their compatriots across the country, united to resist foreign aggression and fight for national survival. This shared struggle elevated the consciousness of national identity among all ethnic groups to a new height.
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Since their inception, the cultures of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang have borne the hallmark of unity in diversity of Chinese culture. Chinese culture has always been the harbor and cultural home of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang, as well as the driving force for the development of their respective cultures.
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Over 2,000 years, China's central authorities adopted distinct approaches in their governance of Xinjiang across different historical periods. And Xinjiang has always remained an indispensable and vital part of the unified, multiethnic Chinese nation. Objectively speaking, their concepts and measures for governing Xinjiang had some unavoidable shortcomings: Their governance over Xinjiang varied in intensity, and lacked precision and effectiveness. Especially after the mid-19th century, separatist activities instigated and backed by foreign forces occurred from time to time.
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History was calling for a true leader capable of leading the Chinese nation to independence, people's liberation, and national rejuvenation. This glorious mission rightfully fell on the Communist Party of China, which was duty bound to fulfill these goals.
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II. CPC's Governance of Xinjiang: Progress and Achievements
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Since its founding, the CPC has always held deep concern for Xinjiang, and the future and wellbeing of the people of all ethnic groups living on this vast land. Under the leadership of the Party, the people of Xinjiang have traversed a remarkable path: from achieving emancipation and becoming their own masters, to embarking on the socialist road; from embracing reform and opening up and achieving moderate prosperity in all respects, to setting out on the new journey towards Chinese modernization. Together with the rest of the nation, they have witnessed the great transformation from standing up and growing prosperous to becoming strong. Over the past century and more, generations of Chinese Communists have continued to explore and advance theoretical, practical, and institutional innovations, deepening their understanding and grasp of the dynamics of governance in Xinjiang.
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Active exploration during the New Democratic Revolution between 1919 and 1949. During this period, the CPC united the people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang and led them in heroic and unrelenting struggle, bringing them emancipation and enabling them to be their own masters. The founding of the CPC in July 1921 was an epoch-making event in Chinese history. Ever since, the Party has remained a pillar on which the Chinese people, including those in Xinjiang, can rely. In its early years, the Party had given clear emphasis on Xinjiang, sending members to the region to spread Marxism, sow the seeds of revolution, enlighten the people, and raise their political awareness. During the whole nation's war of resistance against Japanese aggression (1931-1945), the CPC — holding high the banner of a national united front — led the people of Xinjiang in supporting the war effort: organizing donations, ensuring the safe transport of international aid to China, fortifying Xinjiang to support the war front from China's interior, and proactively engaging in movements to rescue the country from Japanese occupation. In August 1938, donations from the people of Xinjiang were used to purchase 10 fighter planes — named "Xinjiang" in their honor — to assist the front line.
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Thanks to the CPC's persistent effort, people in Xinjiang developed an unprecedented sense of the Chinese nation as one community, and a large number of progressives devoted themselves to the revolutionary cause. Having secured a decisive victory in the War of Liberation (1946-1950), the CPC central leadership decided to peacefully liberate Xinjiang. The People's Liberation Army (PLA) marched triumphantly into the region, shattering the wild ambition of imperialist and separatist forces to dismember China and safeguarding the fundamental interests of the Chinese nation. This marked a major victory in the cause of national unification and a historic turning point in advancing unity and progress among the people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang.
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Comprehensive governance in the process of socialist revolution and construction between 1949 and 1978. During this period, the CPC united the people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang and led them in bringing tremendous changes to a region with hard natural conditions, achieving a historic leap into socialist society. The founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC) on October 1, 1949 ushered in a new era: the Chinese people had stood up, and a new chapter for Xinjiang had begun. On December 17 the same year, the People's Government of Xinjiang Province was officially established. Under the Party's leadership, the people of Xinjiang consolidated the newly established people's democratic power, created a new, socialist form of ethnic relations, and abolished the feudal land system. Together, they prudently advanced comprehensive social reforms and completed the socialist transformation, establishing the socialist system in Xinjiang that enabled the region to stride forward with the rest of the country — marking the greatest and most profound change in Xinjiang's history.
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On October 7, 1954, the Production and Construction Corps of the Xinjiang Military District of the PLA was formed. A total of 100,000 garrison troops began to open up large swaths of wastelands while guarding the border areas. On October 1, 1955, the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region was formally established, marking a milestone in the region's development and a new success of the CPC's policies on ethnic affairs. In order to end poverty and catch up, the people of Xinjiang pursued self-reliance and worked with determination under the leadership of the CPC to strengthen their home region, supported by selfless assistance from people across the nation. Consequently, Xinjiang has basically built up its industrial system, improved its agricultural production conditions significantly, and achieved marked progress in education, science and technology, health care, transportation, and water conservancy. It has witnessed a historic transformation from barrenness and poverty to flourishing prosperity, secured pivotal achievements in socialist revolution and construction, and created a miracle that changed its future with the people's undaunted spirit.
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Further progress in the process of reform, opening up, and socialist modernization. During this period, the CPC has united the people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang and led them confidently onto the broad path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, aiming for greater heights. The convening of the Third Plenary Session of the 11th CPC Central Committee in December 1978 was a pivotal juncture of far-reaching significance in the history of the Party and the country. Xinjiang's vast land of 1.66 million square kilometers was awash with the strong tides of reform and opening up. In December 1981, the central government decided to restore the production and construction corps system, giving it the name the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (XPCC). As reforms rolled out, the CPC Central Committee — noting Xinjiang's great potential — decided to accelerate its modernization and promote common prosperity among all ethnic groups in the region. The Central Committee lent vigorous support to the region in transforming its advantage in superior resources into growth, guiding it to achieve a strategic shift in its focus. Comprehensive reforms were implemented in both rural and urban areas, while opening up was expanded by attracting external resources and strengthening internal coordination, bringing about new prospects on either side of the Tianshan Mountains.
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After the Fourth Plenary Session of the 13th CPC Central Committee in 1989, the Party Central Committee emphasized that Xinjiang's development and stability was of overarching importance to the nation. For its development, prosperity, and lasting peace and security, the central leadership pooled resources nationwide in assistance to Xinjiang and saw that the socialist market economy was established and improved in the region. This enabled Xinjiang to seize the strategic opportunities presented by the large-scale development of China's west and pioneer a new phase of all-round reform and opening up.
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Following the 16th CPC National Congress in 2002, the Central Committee reaffirmed its commitment to unswervingly advancing reform and opening up and socialist modernization in Xinjiang, maintaining social stability, and promoting ethnic unity. Guided by the major strategic plan of stabilizing and revitalizing Xinjiang, enriching the people, and safeguarding the border areas, the region has achieved sound and rapid economic and social development. In advancing the great cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics, Xinjiang has experienced a historic transformation. Its economy has been markedly strengthened by improving its once relatively backward productive forces, and its society has shifted from a closed and semi-closed outlook to one defined by openness. The people's living standards have also borne witness to profound transformation, evolving from bare subsistence to a basic level of moderate prosperity, and then ultimately to moderate prosperity in all respects. Xinjiang has caught up with the rest of the country in making great strides towards the goals of our time.
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A new era for socialism with Chinese characteristics. The CPC has united the people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang and led them in pressing forward with hard work, upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground, creating new miraculous achievements. The 18th CPC National Congress held in November 2012 ushered Chinese socialism into a new era. While pursuing national rejuvenation within a wider context of global change on a scale unseen in a century, the Party Central Committee with Xi Jinping at its core has put its work related to Xinjiang high on the agenda of the Party and the country and continued to further its understanding and grasp of the dynamics of governance in the region. The Central Committee convened its second and third meetings on the work related to Xinjiang in 2014 and 2020, and in 2014, 2022 and 2023, General Secretary Xi traveled three times to Xinjiang on inspection tours, establishing the overall goal of social stability and lasting peace and security in the region, laying down the Party's guidelines for governing Xinjiang in the new era.
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With the guidelines in place, Xinjiang has focused on forging a strong sense of the Chinese nation as one community, adhered to its strategic positioning in the country, and ensured both development and security. Solid steps have been taken to govern Xinjiang in accordance with the law, maintain stability through ethnic unity, strengthen cultural identity and bonds, bring greater prosperity to the region and its people, and develop Xinjiang from a long-term perspective. This has contributed to unprecedented economic and social development and significant improvement of people's wellbeing, and brought a greater sense of gain, happiness and security to the people.
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Today's Xinjiang is experiencing the best period of development in its history. Over 26 million Xinjiang people of all ethnic groups are tightly knit like the roots of poplar trees and closely united like the seeds of a pomegranate. Confident and open-minded, they are marching forward on the new journey towards a modern socialist country in all respects and striving for the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through hard work and perseverance.
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III. CPC Guidelines for Governing Xinjiang in the New Era: Opening Up New Dimensions
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Since the 18th CPC National Congress, the Party Central Committee with Xi Jinping at its core has drawn experience and lessons from past central authorities in governing Xinjiang, and continued to apply and improve the Party's best practices in this regard. It has adopted a systematic and holistic approach to planning and advancing fundamental, essential and long-term undertakings for the region's lasting peace and security. These efforts have explored new dimensions in Xinjiang's governance, enabling the Party to scale new heights in maintaining stability and driving development in the region.
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The formulation and development of the CPC's guidelines for governing Xinjiang in the new era. The rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is interwoven with — and interacts with — global change on a scale unseen in a century. Consequently, the strategic role of Xinjiang has become ever more pivotal to the nation's overall trajectory. Prioritizing Xinjiang in the governance of the country, the CPC Central Committee with Xi Jinping at its core has systematically planned all work related to Xinjiang from an overall strategic perspective and provided answers to a series of questions on the future direction and strategy in governing the region.
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General Secretary Xi has always paid close attention to the work related to Xinjiang, from a place of care for the people of all of its ethnic groups. At each critical stage in work related to Xinjiang, he has provided strategic direction and guidance, personally steering the course of its development. In April 2014, during an inspection visit to Xinjiang, he highlighted, "The CPC Central Committee has continued to attach great importance to the work related to Xinjiang, emphasizing Xinjiang's special and important strategic role in the work of the Party and the country." He emphasized the major principles and policies of the central leadership to improve the work related to Xinjiang in the new era, and the need to "take a coordinated approach in all undertakings with a focus on social stability and lasting peace and security". In May 2014, the CPC Central Committee held its second meeting on the work related to Xinjiang, at which it reiterated its major principles and policies in this effort and established social stability and lasting peace and security as the overall goal.
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After the meeting, Xi presided over a number of important meetings of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and its standing committee, to make plans for the work related to Xinjiang. In September 2020, at the third central meeting on the work related to Xinjiang held by the CPC Central Committee, he raised the CPC's guidelines for governing Xinjiang in the new era, explaining them in detail. He emphasized governing Xinjiang in accordance with the law, maintaining stability through ethnic unity, strengthening cultural identity and bonds, bringing greater prosperity to the region and its people, and developing Xinjiang from a long-term perspective, to build a socialist Xinjiang with Chinese characteristics in the new era.
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In July 2022, on another inspection visit to Xinjiang, Xi pointed out the need to promote the fundamental, essential and long-term undertakings for Xinjiang's lasting peace and security, with a focus on the overall goal. In August 2023, he visited Xinjiang again to hear reports about the work of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region government and the XPCC. He emphasized the full, accurate and faithful implementation of the Party's guidelines for governing Xinjiang in the new era, and the strategic positioning of Xinjiang in the country. With the overall goal in mind, we will make thorough and meticulous efforts to deliver practical results in governing Xinjiang in accordance with the law, maintaining stability through ethnic unity, strengthening cultural identity and bonds, bringing greater prosperity to the region and its people, and developing Xinjiang from a long-term perspective. We will pursue progress while ensuring stability, devote continued and long-term sustained efforts in our work, and build Xinjiang into a beautiful home characterized by unity, harmony, prosperity, cultural progress, and a sound eco-environment in which people live and work in peace and contentment on the path to Chinese modernization. In addition, he has delivered speeches, made remarks, and provided instructions on many occasions, putting forward new ideas, perspectives and requirements on improving the work related to Xinjiang that have further enriched and developed the CPC's guidelines for governing Xinjiang in the new era.
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The essence of the CPC's guidelines for governing Xinjiang in the new era. The CPC's guidelines for governing Xinjiang in the new era represent a thorough understanding of the situation in Xinjiang and embody a profound reflection on the work related to the region by the CPC Central Committee with Xi Jinping at its core. They comprise a complete system of theories with a sound logic and rich content, and sit at the core of all work related to Xinjiang in the new era. Their main content is as follows:
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Viewing and planning the work related to Xinjiang from a strategic perspective. The work related to Xinjiang bears not only on national reunification, ethnic unity, and national security, but also on the initiative to build China into a great country and the goal of national rejuvenation. We must have a clear understanding of the prevailing trend of development in Xinjiang, of the impact of good work in Xinjiang on the overall situation of the Party and the country, and of the work's significance in addressing both domestic and international imperatives, thereby laying a solid foundation for its long-term development, peace and security.
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Upholding social stability and lasting peace and security as the overall goal of the work related to Xinjiang. This means that all undertakings must be planned and advanced to achieve this goal. We should both channel our resources to address the pressing problems in maintaining social stability and systematically tackle the deep-rooted issues that undermine Xinjiang's lasting peace and security.
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Rallying the people's support is fundamental. Without the people's support, all efforts are futile. We must put the people first, have faith in the people of all ethnic groups, rely on them, and be of service to them. We should provide them with guidance, and let them understand the importance of stability and peace, that a happy life stems from the Party's good policies and the hard work of all ethnic groups united as one, and that the development of Xinjiang cannot be achieved without the support from the whole Party and the whole country.
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Fostering a stronger sense of the Chinese nation as one community. This is fundamental to the work related to Xinjiang in the long run. We must focus on fostering a stronger sense of national identity, fully implement the Party's policies concerning ethnic affairs, and heighten public awareness of ethnic unity and progress. We must move faster to build an ethnically integrated society and neighborhoods and encourage more exchanges, interactions and integration among different ethnic groups, so that they remain as closely united as the seeds of a pomegranate.
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Ensuring that religions in China conform to China's realities. This concerns the overall work related to Xinjiang. We must fully implement the Party's basic policy on religious affairs, protect lawful practices, proscribe illegal activities, contain extremism, resist infiltration, and punish crime. We must guide religious believers to foster a keen sense of national identity, citizenship, and law-based governance, and provide active guidance to religions so that they can adapt to socialist society.
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Fostering and carrying forward the core socialist values. We must uphold the guiding role of advanced socialist culture and strengthen the cultural identity and bonds of people in Xinjiang. We must guide the people and inspire them to identify more closely with our motherland, the Chinese nation, the Chinese culture, the CPC, and socialism with Chinese characteristics.
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Promoting high-quality development centered on the people's wellbeing. Xinjiang's development should manifest in the people's wellbeing, betterment of local economy and society, and greater ethnic unity. We must uphold the people-centered development philosophy, and advance economic and social development while improving people's wellbeing so that the people of all ethnic groups live and work in peace and contentment, thereby enabling them to enjoy a stronger sense of gain, fulfillment and security.
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Strengthening the Party's leadership over the work related to Xinjiang. To improve the work related to Xinjiang, we must uphold and strengthen the Party's overall leadership, cultivate a contingent of officials with strong political commitment, professional competence, and exemplary conduct, and ensure the smooth execution of the Central Committee's policies and decisions. We must regard building solid foundations at the grassroots level as the fundamental measure to ensure stability and security in Xinjiang, and strengthen grassroots Party organizations to serve the people, maintain stability, and oppose division.
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The principles and requirements of the CPC's guidelines for governing Xinjiang in the new era. The CPC's guidelines for governing Xinjiang in the new era are the foundation for the work related to Xinjiang. We must have a thorough understanding of governing Xinjiang in accordance with the law, maintaining stability through ethnic unity, strengthening cultural identity and bonds, bringing greater prosperity to the region and its people, and developing Xinjiang from a long-term perspective, and advance these undertakings in a coordinated manner.
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To govern the region in accordance with the law, we should uphold Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law, advance law-based governance, promote its concept across society, adhere to its principles, and implement its requirements in all sectors of the work related to Xinjiang. We should employ law-based thinking and approaches to forestall risks, combat crimes, handle problems, and address disputes, and strengthen law-based and persistent efforts in combating terrorism and maintaining stability, thereby ensuring that all the work related to Xinjiang is carried out under the rule of law.
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To maintain stability through ethnic unity, the fundamental issue is to rally people's support. We should regard ethnic unity as the lifeline of the people of all ethnic groups, safeguard the unity of the Chinese nation, and continue to foster a stronger sense of the Chinese nation as one community. We should make systematic efforts to ensure that religions in China conform to China's realities, to unite the people of all ethnic groups closer around the Party, and to forge tremendous momentum to build a beautiful Xinjiang.
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To strengthen cultural identity and bonds, we should see that people in Xinjiang identify with the Chinese culture. Upholding the core socialist values, we should develop advanced socialist culture, promote revolutionary culture, carry forward the best of traditional Chinese culture, and build a spiritual home shared by all the Chinese people. We should provide education and guidance to the people of all ethnic groups to strengthen their sense of Chinese national identity, and reinforce their political commitment and win their support, thus consolidating the ideological foundations for social stability and lasting peace and security.
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To bring greater prosperity to Xinjiang and its people, we should fully and faithfully apply the new development philosophy on all fronts in line with the strategic positioning of Xinjiang in building a great modern socialist country. Giving full play to Xinjiang's advantages in geographic location, resources, and policies, we should actively support Xinjiang in serving and integrating with the new development dynamic and promoting high-quality opening up. We should advance high-quality development centered on the people's wellbeing, and ensure that the benefits of development improve the people's wellbeing and win their support.
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To develop Xinjiang from a long-term perspective, we should uphold and strengthen the Party's overall leadership and advance the great new project of strengthening the Party in the new era. We should foster highly competent officials based on the criteria for assessing the caliber of officials in the new era, maintain our strategic resolve, and make meticulous plans before taking any actions. We should pursue progress while ensuring stability, devote continued and long-term sustained efforts in our work, and address deep-rooted problems, to lay solid foundations for achieving the overall goal of the work related to Xinjiang.
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The CPC's guidelines for governing Xinjiang in the new era represent both innovations and breakthroughs in theory, and concrete plans and requirements for their implementation. Embodying Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, they encapsulate and build on the past successes of the CPC who lead the Chinese people in governing, stabilizing and developing Xinjiang. They have opened a wide avenue leading to steady and sustained progress in the work related to Xinjiang, marking a new height of the CPC's understanding of the underlying principles in border governance. They are a milestone in the Party's work related to Xinjiang and in the development of the region.
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Under the strong leadership of the Party Central Committee and with the support of the whole country, over 26 million people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang are applying the Party's guidelines for governing Xinjiang in the new era in full, to the letter, and in all fields. Keeping the requirements in mind, they are working hard with gratitude and forging ahead in the face of daunting challenges to translate into reality the grand blueprint for Xinjiang drawn up by the CPC Central Committee with Xi Jinping at its core.
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IV. Stronger Foundations for Stability, Peace and Security
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Social stability and lasting peace and security in Xinjiang are of overarching importance to overall reform, development and stability in China. While balancing development and security, Xinjiang has maintained social stability as a top priority. It has continued to fight terrorism and maintain stability in a law-based and regular manner, preventing and defusing risks in various fields, as well as interference and sabotage by external forces. A historic transformation from chaos to stability and from stability to governance has been achieved in the region.
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Significant achievements in the fight against secession. Separatism endangers national unity and undermines ethnic unity, breeding terrorism and extremism in Xinjiang. In the past, ethnic separatists, religious extremists, and terrorists have engaged in rampant sabotaging activities in Xinjiang, disrupting local stability and bringing enormous suffering to the people of all ethnic groups in the region. The Chinese government stands firm against all forms of separatism, terrorism, and extremism, and takes robust action against any acts that aim to split the country, endanger public security, or infringe upon human rights in accordance with the law.
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Xinjiang is resolute in safeguarding national unity and takes robust action against illegal acts and crimes, including the incitement, organization, plotting, and execution of acts that divide the country or jeopardize national unity. It is resolute in guarding against the infiltration and spread of "Pan-Turkism" and "Pan-Islamism" and strives to root out the breeding grounds for terrorism and extremism to sprout and spread. The hard work over the years has reaped notable results in Xinjiang's fight against separatism. Violent and terrorist events have not happened for many years, and social stability and ethnic unity have been effectively safeguarded in the region.
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Enforcement of regular counterterrorism measures to ensure stability in accordance with the law. This is central to sustaining long-term social stability, peace, and security in Xinjiang. Upholding and promoting the socialist rule of law, Xinjiang has exercised law-based governance in full and across all areas. In accordance with the Criminal Law and Counterterrorism Law of the People's Republic of China, it has advanced the fight against terrorism and continued to maintain stability with standardized, regular and efficient operations within the legal framework.
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The autonomous region government has improved the long-term mechanism for rigorous crackdowns on violent and terrorist acts, employed law-based thinking and approaches to combat crimes and maintain stability, and ensured that these efforts were law-based, targeted, and timely. It has established a system for fighting terrorism and maintaining stability in a law-based and regular manner, and a comprehensive prevention and control system for social security, shifting the focus from the very end to the source and evolving from emergency response to a standardized, refined, and regular approach. Policies and measures have been improved to guard against the few terrorists without interrupting the normal order of work, study, and daily life of the majority of people, effecting a fundamental change more conducive to ensuring peace and stability. Since the start of the new era, counterterrorism and stability-maintaining efforts have achieved significant outcomes, bringing an end to the frequent violent and terrorist attacks seen in the past.
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Targeted countermeasures against foreign sanctions and interference. In recent years, a number of Western countries, led by the United States, have imposed sanctions on businesses and individuals related to Xinjiang on the account of "genocide" and "forced labor" — lies and absurd fallacies they have concocted to interfere in China's internal affairs. Their purpose is political manipulation and economic bullying under the guise of human rights protection. Countering sanctions and interference is essential for breaking the containment of China by the anti-China forces in the US and some Western countries, which use Xinjiang as a handle. It is a just response for safeguarding our national sovereignty, security, and development interests.
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China has promulgated relevant laws, regulations, and departmental rules, such as the Foreign Relations Law, the Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law, the Provisions on the Application of the Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law, and the Provisions on the Unreliable Entity List, taking countermeasures against the unjustified sanctions involving Xinjiang imposed by a mere handful of countries. The Standing Committee of the People's Congress of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has adopted a resolution opposing a series of US sanctions on Xinjiang and supporting the development of sanctioned enterprises and related industries, fighting back against unilateral sanctions by the US. In addition, the government has provided a range of services for sanctioned businesses, supported them in safeguarding their legitimate rights and interests in accordance with the law, given a boost to relevant industries, and created new employment opportunities for people affected by the sanctions.
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Notable improvements in social governance. Sound social governance is a prerequisite and guarantee for social harmony, stability, and people's wellbeing. Xinjiang has applied and further developed the Fengqiao model for community-level governance in the new era, and improved the urban and rural primary-level governance system that combines self-governance, the rule of law, and the rule of virtue under the leadership of Party organizations. The autonomous region has strengthened grassroots governance through Party development and improved the social governance system based on collaboration, participation, and common interests, consolidating the grassroots foundations. It has conducted regular risk assessment, combined with prevention, coordination, and resolution measures, to effectively forestall and defuse any potential risks or dangers.
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The autonomous region government monitors and takes resolute action against illegal acts of grave concern to the public, including severe violent crimes and recurrent offences such as pornography, gambling, drug abuse, food and drug safety violations, environmental crimes, theft, robbery, and conventional, telecom, and online fraud, carrying out regular campaigns targeting criminal gangs and organized crime. It has introduced diverse ways for the resolution of conflicts and disputes by promoting law-based handling of public complaints, advancing the standardized development of integrated management centers with a focus on the county level, and created new forms of dispute resolution such as "horseback mediation teams" and "tea-serving mediation rooms". These initiatives have helped to resolve issues at the community level as soon as they arise. In 2024, 98.52 percent of civil disputes in Xinjiang were solved through mediation. The autonomous region government is firmly committed to maintaining social stability and ensuring people's safety and wellbeing. Significant progress has been made in building a peaceful Xinjiang, providing the people of all ethnic groups with a greater sense of gain, fulfillment, and security.
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V. Uniting the Chinese Nation as One Community
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Forging a stronger sense of the Chinese nation as one community is the focus of the CPC's work on ethnic affairs in the new era and the focus of all work in ethnic minority areas. Taking solid steps to heighten the sense of national identity, Xinjiang endeavors to improve commonality among its people of all ethnic groups, and guides them to unite as one through both rough times and the smooth towards a shared future, encouraging them to contribute to building China into a great country and creating a better life together.
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Faster pace in building a cultural home shared by the Chinese nation. Xinjiang continues to promote mainstream opinions and increase the appeal of the Chinese culture and its power to unite people, consolidating the common ideological and political foundations for ethnic unity and progress. Under the guidance of the core socialist values, it has strengthened public education on the history of the CPC, the PRC, reform and opening up, the development of socialism, and the development of the Chinese nation, and carried out extensive educational campaigns, such as the one on "forging a stronger sense of the Chinese nation as one community to realize the Chinese Dream", to enhance cohesion and forge the nation's soul with shared ideals and convictions. Under an initiative for carrying forward revolutionary traditions and heritage, Xinjiang has built 471 education bases for patriotism at all levels, inspiring officials and the public to love the Party and dedicate themselves to the country by promoting the Desert Poplar Spirit and the XPCC Spirit.
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Studying and exploring the inherent values and contemporary relevance of traditional Chinese culture, Xinjiang has established demonstration sites, where shared Chinese cultural symbols and the collective images of the Chinese nation are showcased; and it has organized regular trips to learn and experience traditional Chinese culture, thus further developing the advanced socialist culture and fostering a stronger sense of identity with the Chinese culture among all ethnic groups. To promote modern civilization, it has advanced campaigns to introduce modern values and encourage modern lifestyles with the help of specialized education centers. It has carried out extensive programs to popularize science and raise awareness of the law, to guide the people in adapting to life of modern civilization. Standard spoken and written Chinese is promoted across the region, and used and taught at schools. As a result, the public has developed a stronger awareness and capability to use standard Chinese, which has united hearts and minds for a shared future through a common tongue.
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Increased interactions, exchanges and integration among all ethnic groups. Xinjiang coordinates urban and rural construction planning and the allocation of public service resources to advance all-round integration for the people of all ethnic groups physically, culturally, economically, socially, and psychologically, so that all are closely united like the seeds of a pomegranate. It has accelerated the development of people-centered new urbanization, introducing a more rational distribution of city clusters and small, medium and large cities, and building an ethnically integrated society and community. This approach makes full use of the mutually reinforcing effect between urban and industrial development, attracts populations with a flourishing industry, and makes it possible for all ethnic groups to live, study, work, and enjoy life side by side, as they contribute and share benefits together.
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Further efforts have been made to carry forward the Foundation Project for young people and expand the patriotic education program that brings Xinjiang youth to other parts of the country on study trips. In 2024, 86,000 elementary and secondary school students traveled to other provinces and cities on such trips. Extensive "hand-in-hand" student activities have been organized between Xinjiang and provinces providing assistance to it, between schools run by the XPCC and regular schools, and between southern and northern Xinjiang. They are intended to create mixed-classes and mixed-dormitories that give students from different ethnic groups the opportunity to study, live, and grow together. Upholding the cultural core of tourism and promoting integration through tourism, Xinjiang strives to heighten the sense of the Chinese nation as one community throughout its high-quality development of the tourist industry. Tourism has become an important facilitator of interactions, exchanges and integration between ethnic groups. The region has also held activities to promote unity, increase understanding, and forge a stronger bond among the people of all ethnic groups.
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Greater ethnic unity and progress. With a focus on unity, progress, and common prosperity and development among all ethnic groups, Xinjiang has implemented initiatives to safeguard and develop border areas and advance common prosperity among all ethnic groups. It has incorporated ethnic unity and progress into the regional legislative work and plans for economic and social development, and has promulgated and implemented the Regulations on the Establishment of Model Areas for Ethnic Unity and Progress, alongside the 14th Five-Year Plan for the Establishment of Model Areas for Ethnic Unity and Progress. Model units and individuals have been commended for contributing to ethnic unity and progress, with marked progress in strengthening and developing a new type of socialist ethnic relationship characterized by equality, unity, mutual assistance, and harmony. As of 2024, there were 101 national model areas and units, 14 national education bases, 1,555 model units and 2,690 exemplary individuals at the autonomous region level and above in Xinjiang, including the "People's Guardian" Bayika Kalidibek and the "People's Model" Burmahan Mawluda.
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Steady progress in ensuring that religions in China conform to China's realities. Xinjiang is a region where religions have coexisted since ancient times. Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Catholicism, and Christianity all flourish in the region. Xinjiang fully, accurately, and faithfully implements the Party's policy on freedom of religious belief by respecting people's religious beliefs, administering religious affairs in accordance with the law, allowing religious groups to manage their own affairs independently, and guiding religions to be compatible with socialist society. Following the principle that religions in China should conform to China's realities, the region has strengthened theoretical and political guidance for the religious circle, and has introduced the national flag, the Constitution, laws and regulations, the socialist core values, and fine traditional Chinese culture into venues for religious activities. Efforts have been made to inspire religious figures and believers to identify more closely with the motherland, the Chinese nation, the Chinese culture, the CPC, and socialism with Chinese characteristics.
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The autonomous region government supports the religious circle in the study of scripture, and encourages interpretations of religious doctrines and precepts that align with contemporary development and with traditional Chinese culture, thereby enhancing religious people's Chinese cultural identity. To ensure the healthy development of religion in Xinjiang, the region has issued plans on training for religious figures to cultivate talent who are completely versed in both classical religious doctrines and traditional Chinese culture. It has strengthened governance on religious affairs in accordance with the law, and supports the religious circle in countering radicalization and guarding against the infiltration of religious extremism. It guides and supports the religious community to exercise full and strict self-governance, improve self-education, self-management and self-discipline, and lead its believers to contribute to building a great nation and realizing the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
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VI. Further Progress in Democracy and the Rule of Law
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Whole-process people's democracy is the defining feature of socialist democracy; it is democracy in its most extensive, genuine and effective form. Acting on this key concept, Xinjiang is committed to the unity of CPC's leadership, the people's position as masters of the country, and law-based governance, and guarantees the implementation of the people's congress system, the system of CPC-led multiparty cooperation and political consultation, the system of regional ethnic autonomy, and the system of community-level self-governance. It has made new strides in advancing democracy and the rule of law.
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Remarkable achievements in developing whole-process people's democracy. By practicing democracy throughout the whole process of elections, consultations, decision-making, administration, and oversight, Xinjiang has continued to improve the institutional framework for whole-process people's democracy.
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The people's congress system serves as a fundamental institutional pillar of whole-process people's democracy. As of 2024, a total of 74,412 people were serving as deputies to people's congresses at all levels in Xinjiang. Among them, 78.69 percent were from the grassroots level, and 69.21 percent were from ethnic minority groups. This composition demonstrates that the people of Xinjiang enjoy an equal status in political affairs, irrespective of ethnic or social background.
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Consultative democracy is an important form of whole-process people's democracy in practice. As of 2024, Xinjiang had 16,121 members serving on its CPPCC committees at all levels, with 49.06 percent of non-CPC members and 46.13 percent of members from ethnic minority groups. These figures underscore the broad representation and political inclusiveness of the CPPCC system.
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Primary-level democracy is a key manifestation of whole-process people's democracy. The system of community-level self-governance has been established for all villages and communities across Xinjiang. Over 85 percent of the matters for decision-making at grassroots self-governance organizations come from public proposals, demonstrating the authenticity of primary-level democracy and its extensive coverage and effectiveness.
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The united front is a powerful force in advancing whole-process people's democracy. Xinjiang coordinates efforts to unite members of non-CPC political parties, prominent individuals without party affiliation, non-CPC intellectuals, and businesspeople working in the non-public sector, building extensive consensus.
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Democratic oversight is an integral component of whole-process people's democracy. People's congresses at all levels in Xinjiang and their standing committees are continuing to improve their scrutiny of the people's governments, supervision commissions, people's courts, and people's procuratorates at the same level in performing their statutory duties. CPPCC committees at all levels in Xinjiang exercise consultative supervision by expressing views, making criticisms, and giving advice to ensure the legitimate rights and interests of the people of all ethnic groups are protected and realized.
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Evident strengths of the system of regional ethnic autonomy. By upholding national unity while practicing regional autonomy, and by leveraging regional features while highlighting its multiethnic composition, Xinjiang fully protects the right of all ethnic groups to jointly administer state affairs as masters of the country.
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Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has autonomous areas at all three levels — regional, prefectural, and county level. It has five autonomous prefectures and six autonomous counties, all of which enjoy extensive autonomy as prescribed by law. On all standing committees of people's congresses of ethnic autonomous areas, there are citizens from the ethnic groups exercising autonomy holding the office of chair or vice chair. The chair of the autonomous region, the governors of autonomous prefectures, and the heads of autonomous counties are all citizens from the local ethnic groups exercising regional autonomy.
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The people of all ethnic groups have equal legal status, enjoying the right to vote and stand for election, as endowed by the Constitution and the law. They enjoy freedom of religious belief, and have the rights to participate in the administration of state affairs, to receive education, to use and develop their own spoken and written languages, and to preserve and protect the fine traditional culture of their own groups.
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Xinjiang respects and protects ethnic minorities' right to learn and use their own spoken and written languages, takes a sound approach to protecting the spoken and written languages of all ethnic groups, and encourages them to learn languages from each other.
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Important advancements in the rule of law. To fully implement the CPC Central Committee's decisions and plans on law-based governance, Xinjiang has actively promoted the rule of law within the government and across society. It respects human rights and ensures its protection throughout the process of legislation, law enforcement, judicature, and law observance, so that the people can see justice served in every law, every enforcement action, and every judicial ruling.
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Xinjiang exercises its local legislative powers in accordance with the law. By the end of 2024, the People's Congress of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and its Standing Committee had formulated, revised and approved 874 local regulations, resolutions and decisions with regulatory functions or on major issues, and special ordinances. Among them, currently in effect are 175 local regulations and 56 resolutions and decisions with regulatory functions or on major issues. They have laid a solid legal foundation for maintaining local social stability and lasting peace and security.
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Xinjiang actively promotes democratic legislation. It has established two grassroots legislative outreach offices at the national level, 23 at the autonomous region level, and 112 at the city level, to extensively solicit public opinions and suggestions on legislative work.
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Xinjiang strives to build a law-based government. Over 500,000 pieces of information on law enforcement were made known to the public by the administrative law enforcement departments at all levels, and law enforcement supervision and inspection were conducted on more than 2,100 occasions.
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Continuous efforts have been made to strengthen community-level legal systems. Judicial offices have been established for townships and urban sub-districts, and people's mediation committees have been set up for villages and communities, both of which serve as legal counsels for ordinary people. A public legal service system is now in place to cover both urban and rural populations.
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Law-based governance of foreign-related affairs has been elevated to a new level. The Standing Committee of the People's Congress of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has revised the regulations on border administration and released the Regulations on China (Xinjiang) Pilot Free Trade Zone, to build Xinjiang into a core area of the Silk Road Economic Belt.
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Greater protection of human rights. Respecting and protecting human rights is a constitutional principle in China. Comprehensive progress in human rights is an ongoing quest of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang and all Chinese people. The CPC Central Committee with Xi Jinping at its core has integrated this principle into the Party's guidelines for governing Xinjiang in the new era, and made vigorous and solid efforts to protect the basic rights of the people of all ethnic groups in the region.
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Adopting a people-centered view of human rights, Xinjiang has made the improvement of people's lives the ultimate goal of all its work. It has maintained social harmony and stability in accordance with the law, accelerated the pace of high-quality development, ensured and improved living standards, developed and consolidated ethnic unity, protected the freedom of religious belief by law, and attached importance to the protection and preservation of the fine traditional culture of all ethnic groups. The rights to subsistence and development of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang are effectively guaranteed, and their political, economic, social, cultural, environmental and other rights are fully realized.
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Unprecedented progress has been made in Xinjiang's human rights cause, owing to multiple factors. The Chinese socialist system offers a strong institutional guarantee, China's high-quality economic and social development lays a solid material foundation, and sustained social stability has created favorable conditions for its development.
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VII. High-Quality Development and High-Standard Opening Up
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In the pursuit of Chinese modernization and common prosperity, none of the nation's 56 ethnic groups should be left behind. Xinjiang has fully, accurately and faithfully applied the new development philosophy and actively contributed to and been integrated with the new development dynamic. The region continues to drive deeper all-round reform and wider high-standard opening up. The foundation for Xinjiang's stable economic and social development has been strengthened, the momentum for growth has been accelerated, and the new development quality and efficiency have been substantially enhanced. Overall, Xinjiang has made solid progress in advancing Chinese modernization.
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Sustainable, sound and rapid economic development. By focusing on its strategic positioning in the nation's overall development, and upholding the integrity of innovative, coordinated, green, open and shared development, Xinjiang has been fully committed to high-quality development, seeing significant improvement in its overall economic strength and historic leaps in multiple indicators. The region's GDP increased from about RMB749.95 billion in 2012 to more than RMB2.05 trillion in 2024, exceeding the threshold of RMB2 trillion for the first time with an annual growth rate of 7 percent at constant prices. Its per capita nominal GDP increased 2.3 times from RMB33,495 in 2012 to RMB78,660 in 2024. The revenue in the general public budget jumped from nearly RMB90.9 billion in 2012 to nearly RMB240.97 billion in 2024, representing an average annual growth of more than RMB10 billion.
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Continuous efforts have been made to optimize Xinjiang's industrial structure. In 2012, the shares of the primary, secondary and tertiary industries were 16.1 percent, 44.3 percent, and 39.6 percent respectively, and in 2024, the figures were 12.5 percent, 39.6 percent, and 47.9 percent. The interconnected and complementary development between the Urumqi-Karamay-Changji Area, northern Xinjiang, eastern Xinjiang, and southern Xinjiang is now fully coordinated. Measures to accelerate new urbanization and advance the regional economic planning and spatial planning for high-quality development have been put in place. The proportion of permanent urban residents in Xinjiang rose from 44.22 percent in 2012 to 60.36 percent in 2024, up by 16.14 percentage points.
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Improved infrastructure. To optimize infrastructure layout, structure, functions, and system integration, Xinjiang has made overall planning for the construction of 10 networks covering railways, highways, aviation, power, natural gas, logistics and computing. Transportation has been largely improved in the region. The operating mileage of railways totaled 9,202 km as of 2024 — up from 4,914 km in 2012. This network now reaches all prefectures, as well as over 80 percent of county-level administrative regions. The highway network has also grown, from 165,900 km in 2012 to 230,000 km in 2024. All prefectures in Xinjiang are now accessible by highway, as are more than 90 percent of administrative regions at county level. The number of civil air routes in Xinjiang now totals 595, of which 25 are international routes, connecting to 17 countries and regions. A network of air routes covering entire Xinjiang and radiating to the east and west has now basically formed. The first, second, and third channels consistently transmit locally generated electricity to other parts of the country, with 750 kV transmission lines extending more than 12,000 km and delivering in excess of 100 billion kWh of electricity to 22 provinces and equivalent administrative units for five consecutive years. Information highway is also taking shape, with optical cables now extending 1.78 million km. All of its counties are connected with 1000M fiber optic networks, towns with 5G networks, and villages with broadband networks.
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Cluster effect of the modern industrial system. Focusing on national strategic needs, and leveraging its natural resources and industrial capabilities, Xinjiang has accelerated efforts to develop a modern industrial system with its own unique advantages. The region is also rapidly emerging as a national base for high-quality agricultural and livestock products. In 2024, grain yield per unit area reached 7872.75 kg/ha, the highest in the country. The total food output surged from nearly 15.18 million tonnes in 2012 to 23.3 million tonnes in 2024, up 53.6 percent. Xinjiang's cotton output of about 5.69 million tonnes accounted for 92.3 percent of the national total in 2024, maintaining its position as the country's top producer for the 32nd consecutive year. The mechanization rate in plowing, planting, and harvesting has reached 97 percent. Xinjiang is accelerating efforts to build itself into a strategic base of the nation's energy resources. In 2024, the oil and gas production equivalent reached 66.64 million tonnes, and the raw coal output stood at 543 million tonnes. Installed capacity of electricity hit 192.7 million kW in 2024, of which capacity from new energy sources surpassed 100 million kW. The Urumqi-Changji-Shihezi photovoltaic cluster was put on the list of national advanced manufacturing clusters.
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Xinjiang fosters its new quality productive forces in light of local conditions. A talent development fund of RMB10 billion was set up to promote the integrated development and reform of education, talent, and science and technology. The Xinjiang Research Institute of Huairou Laboratory has been put into operation, and the National Innovation Center for Wind Power Generation has been officially launched. Exceeding 10,000 m, the Tarim Oilfield's ultra-deep drilling is now the deepest in Asia. The Xinjiang-to-Chongqing Computing Resource Transfer project was listed as the pilot project for coordinated development of computing and power, and the region's first intelligent computing center has been established and put into use. The Urumqi-Changji-Shihezi national innovation demonstration zone is continuing to improve its leading role, while other five new high-tech industrial development zones have made substantial progress. The region continues to improve its support for high-quality enterprises, developing 11 single-product champion enterprises in the manufacturing sector, 52 exemplary specialized enterprises that use advanced technologies to produce unique and innovative products, and 2,742 high-tech enterprises as of the end of 2024.
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Solid green and low-carbon development. Xinjiang upholds the principle that lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets, and takes a holistic and systematic approach to the conservation and improvement of mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes, grasslands and deserts, constantly strengthening its capabilities in safeguarding eco-environmental security. The region has made significant progress in improving air quality. In 2024, the proportion of days with good air quality was 78.1 percent in cities at or above the prefectural level. Water management has also improved, as the region moves towards a more efficient and rational use of its water resources. In 2024, the proportion of surface water at Grade III (good water quality) or above reached 95.9 percent. The water supply program in the Tarim River Basin has significantly raised the groundwater level of the lower reaches, thereby promoting the region's coordinated economic and social development with its population, resources, and the eco-environment. Large-scale greening programs have been rolled out in a well-planned manner, including developing shelterbelt networks in northwest, north and northeast China, which has seen the forest coverage rate increase from 4.24 percent in 2012 to 5.07 percent in 2024. Oases area has expanded by 56.6 percent over the past three decades. The battle against desertification on the fringes of the Taklimakan Desert has been stepped up, with the desert now entirely encircled with a sand-blocking green belt stretching 3,046 km — the longest in the world. Xinjiang's accelerated green transformation can also be seen in the region's active efforts to achieve peak carbon emissions and carbon neutrality, with carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP continuing to drop.
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A core area of the Silk Road Economic Belt. Xinjiang has consciously integrated its regional opening up strategy into the country's overall plan of opening up to the west. Focusing on the construction of "One Port, Two Zones, Five Centers, and One Port Economic Belt", it aims to build a golden channel across the Eurasian continent and a gateway for opening up to the west. Consequently, it has accelerated the development of broader channels for opening up. Xinjiang has established 19 ports, including the Kunjirap Port, which is open all year round. There are 119 bilateral transport routes and 10 multilateral road freight routes. A total of 16,400 freight trains traveled through Xinjiang on the China-Europe Railway Express in 2024, marking the fifth consecutive year that the number of trains on the line had exceeded 10,000. The number of Xinjiang's economic and trade partners also increased significantly from a small handful in the 1950s to 196 countries and regions in 2012, and to 211 in 2024. Trade volume has also expanded, with the total import and export value surging from RMB158.96 billion in 2012 to RMB434.16 billion in 2024, surpassing RMB200 billion, RMB300 billion, and RMB400 billion in 2022, 2023 and 2024 respectively. The platform for opening up has improved further. China (Xinjiang) Pilot Free Trade Zone was approved and set up in October, 2023. Over the following year, more than 9,000 enterprises moved into the Zone, whose total import and export value accounted for over 30 percent of the region's total. The region has also prioritized the construction of the Tacheng Pilot Zone for Development and Opening Up, the Horgos Economic Development Zone and the Kashi Economic Development Zone.
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VIII. Significant Progress in Cultural Development
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Culture nurtures the mind and cultivates lofty aspirations. In studying and carrying out Xi Jinping Thought on Culture, Xinjiang has bolstered stronger cultural confidence, strengthened cultural identity and bonds, and developed the Chinese culture, including its diverse ethnic cultures, with greater momentum and more robust measures. The region has continued its systematic protection of cultural heritage, boosted cultural creativity, and promoted the prosperous development of socialist culture, to better meet the new aspirations of the people of all ethnic groups for enriched intellectual and cultural lives.
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Cultural heritage under effective protection. Adhering to the principle of prioritizing protection, promoting sound utilization, and minimizing interference, Xinjiang has improved its comprehensive preservation of cultural heritage. It has formulated plans for the protection of regional cultural heritage, and released local regulations such as Regulations on the Protection of the Ancient City of Kashi and Regulations on the Protection of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Manas, as part of its continuing efforts to strengthen legal guarantees for preserving cultural heritage. By 2024, Xinjiang had housed 195 institutions of cultural heritage protection at all levels, 150 registered museums, and 9,545 verified and registered immovable cultural relics, among which 6 were world cultural heritage sites, 133 were key cultural relics sites under national-level protection, and 779 were cultural relics sites under the protection of the autonomous region. The region also boasts 3 intangible cultural heritage items on the list of the UNESCO, 141 items on the national representative list, and 567 items on the list of the autonomous region. Xinjiang has coordinated the protection of cultural heritage and the development of urban and rural areas, provided effective protection and sound management for historic and cultural cities, towns and villages, traditional villages, and streets and districts with historical and cultural significance, and ensured their rational utilization. The region has promoted the preservation and exhibition of key ruins and sites reflecting past central authorities' viable governance of Xinjiang. For instance, the ruins of the Western Regions Frontier Command, Ulanbay Ancient City, Beiting City, and the Ili Commandery have been well preserved and put into good use. Also, the construction of the National Archeological Park of the Site of Beiting City, Museum of the Western Regions Frontier Command, and Silk Road and Great Wall Culture Museum has been completed. The archeological research of Xinjiang falls under the broader "Archeological Finds in China" project. Xinjiang has implemented projects such as the protection and utilization of religious ruins on the rim of the Tarim Basin, built the Qiuci Museum and the Qiuci Wei and Jin Ancient Tomb Site Museum, and promoted the protection of the Kizil Grottoes, Subashi Buddhist Temple Ruins, Loulan Ancient City Ruins, and the Nestorian monastery site on the west side of Turpan City. Xinjiang's Tongtiandong Cave, Keyakekuduke Watchtower site, and Mo'er Temple ruins have all featured on China's "top 10 archeological discoveries of the year" list.
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Flourishing cultural and artistic creation. Focusing on producing excellent cultural and artistic works, Xinjiang has improved its mechanism for serving, guiding and organizing literary and artistic creation, resulting in a continuous emergence of excellent works. In terms of literary creations, it has launched the Tianshan Literature Award, and many Xinjiang-themed literary works have received nationwide acclaim, including Ben Ba, winner of the Mao Dun Literature Prize; Distant Sunflower Fields and The Western Great Wall, winners of the Lu Xun Literature Prize; and The Flowers Are Always This Red, winner of the national Steed Awards for Ethnic Literature. In the performing arts, songs such as The Shepherds of Koktokay and Apple Fragrance have familiarized the whole country with melodies from Xinjiang; dance dramas such as Five Stars Rise in the East and Zhang Qian have powerfully reflected the nation's history and spirit; dances such as Markit Under the Sunshine and Grandpa's Samawar have been honored with the Lotus Award, China's highest honor in dance; and the performer of the Shaanxi opera Burning Incense received the prestigious China Theater Plum Blossom Awards. In film and television, Xinjiang-themed films have won the Best Works Award for seven consecutive years, including the highly acclaimed Fade Away Pastoral; the children's film The Little Horsewhip was a winner at the China Movie Awards; the TV drama To the Wonder gained viral recognition and was broadcast in several other countries; and the documentary film Fabric of Lives received substantial praise from audiences. Additionally, the brilliant performance at the Kashi sub-venue of the Central Television Station's 2024 Spring Festival Gala captivated viewers around the world.
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Continuous improvement of the system of public cultural services. Xinjiang has promoted consistent and equal access to public cultural services and channeled quality cultural resources to the community level, protecting the people's cultural rights and interests and improving their quality of life. By the end of 2024, Xinjiang had established 111 public libraries, 118 cultural centers, 1,126 cultural facilities in towns, townships and sub-districts, and 11,783 village cultural centers, providing 695.86 sq m of public cultural facilities per 10,000 people. The autonomous region now boasts 88,800 sports venues, and has established a comprehensive, five-tier public cultural service network spanning the village, township, county, prefecture, and the autonomous region levels. Believing that culture should serve the interests of the people, Xinjiang has made great efforts to ensure every village and household has access to radio and television programs, with coverage rates now reaching 99.26 and 99.37 percent, respectively. The people of all ethnic groups now have easy access to rich cultural products in their neighborhoods. From 2012 to 2024, nearly 1.37 million movie screenings were held for free in nearly 9,000 venues in rural villages or communities and covered all administrative villages. The region has held the China Xinjiang Folk Art Season, Conference on Reading, and village Spring Festival galas that also reached all villages and communities. Additionally, the establishment of the pomegranate seed art troupes has expanded access to literature and the arts in rural areas through regular performances that benefit local residents.
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Accelerated development of cultural and tourist industries. Xinjiang encourages the positive interplay between culture and tourism, and continues to advance the deeper integration of the two sectors. This enables tourists to embrace not only Xinjiang's breathtaking landscapes, but also its profound culture. To advance this deeper integration, the region has worked out a development plan for cultural and tourist industry clusters, the worth of which could reach RMB1 trillion and more. In its efforts to promote the development of sports tourism, sports training and competition, Xinjiang has hosted the Taklimakan Rally, Tour of Salimu Lake Road Cycling Race, and Freeride World Tour. The industrial cluster effect is becoming increasingly apparent in the region. Resources are now being channeled into developing the winter sports tourism sector, with 72 skiing venues and five national ski resorts established across the region by the end of 2024. Xinjiang now stands among the top in the country's winter tourism. Road trips and special interest tours are immensely popular here, with the Xinjiang section of the G219 national highway, the S101 provincial highway, the Dushanzi-Kuqa highway, the Altay-Hemu highway, and the highway around the Bosten Lake all becoming viral travel destinations among tourists, giving rise to new forms of tourism products in the region. The number of tourists to Xinjiang has increased from 48.6 million in 2012 to 302 million in 2024, a 6.21-fold increase, and the total revenues from tourism in Xinjiang were RMB359.5 billion in 2024.
\n
IX. Continuous Improvement in People's Wellbeing
\n
Living a life of contentment is the ultimate human right, and a happy life for the people is the ultimate goal of development in Xinjiang. Committed to a people-centered approach, Xinjiang pursues development to improve its people's wellbeing, benefit local society, and strengthen unity. To this end, the regional government works tirelessly to solve the most pressing and immediate concerns of the people of all ethnic groups. Every year, more than 70 percent of Xinjiang's general public budget is allocated to safeguard and improve people's wellbeing, to ensure that development benefits the people of all ethnic groups in a fair way.
\n
A complete victory in the fight against poverty. Xinjiang was once one of the areas with the highest incidence and intensity of poverty in all of China. After the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, the region prioritized the fight against poverty, pooling the best of its resources and adopting targeted measures to end poverty through hard work and perseverance.
\n
By the end of 2020, over 3.06 million of Xinjiang's impoverished rural population, its 3,666 impoverished villages, and 35 impoverished counties had all emerged from poverty. Once the specter of absolute poverty that had haunted Xinjiang for millennia was finally eradicated, the region was able to complete the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects, along with the rest of the country. The infrastructure in areas that have escaped poverty has been significantly improved. All towns and townships, as well as administrative villages where conditions permit, now have access to paved roads, bus services, and three-phase power. Dilapidated houses in rural areas have become a thing of the past and the days of drinking bitter and saline water are forever gone.
\n
In 2021, the first year after achieving complete victory against absolute poverty, the per capita disposable income of residents in once impoverished rural areas rose to RMB14,477, a 2.8-fold increase from RMB5,090 in 2012, with an average annual growth rate of 12.3 percent. The numbers of family cars, washing machines, refrigerators, and computers per 100 households had risen by 14.6, 51.6, 49.5 and 5.1 respectively, compared with figures in 2012, reflecting the broader improvements in people's quality of life.
\n
Xinjiang has embarked on a new journey after eradicating absolute poverty. It has consolidated and expanded its achievements in poverty elimination, promoted all-round rural revitalization, and enabled the people of all ethnic groups to live a more fulfilling and promising life.
\n
Steady growth in employment. Xinjiang implements the employment-first strategy and tries its best to achieve high-quality full employment. Employment rates are continuing to improve, with the region's employed population rising from 12.46 million in 2012 to 13.91 million in 2024, up 11.64 percent. The employment structure has also witnessed continued improvement. In 2024, the proportion of people working in the primary, secondary and tertiary sectors stood at 31.34 percent, 14.45 percent, and 54.21 percent respectively. The hiring capacity of urban areas has continued to increase, with the number of people working in cities reaching 8.18 million in 2024, accounting for 58.8 percent of the total employed population.
\n
People's income has increased. In 2024, the per capita disposable income of urban and rural residents reached RMB42,820 and RMB19,427, an increase of RMB23,801 and RMB12,551 respectively, compared with 2012 figures. Better employment has created a better life for all of the region's people. By improving the employment policy system and the mechanism for protecting labor rights and interests, Xinjiang has safeguarded workers' legitimate rights and interests, ensured employment for those with the ability to work, and enabled the people of all ethnic groups to look for the jobs that suit them best and work in decent conditions.
\n
Comprehensive development of education. Prioritizing the development of education, Xinjiang has moved faster to build a high-quality education system, and worked to ensure that educational development offers greater benefits to the people of all ethnic groups in a fair way.
\n
In 2024, the gross enrollment rate of preschool education in Xinjiang reached 102.72 percent, the completion rate of the nine-year compulsory education was over 99 percent, and the gross enrollment rate of senior high schools was 97.74 percent, all above the national average. Educational investment has continued to expand. Since 2012, fiscal expenditure from the central government on education in Xinjiang has reached RMB1.1 trillion, among which RMB47.9 billion have been used to improve conditions of elementary and secondary schools. These efforts have helped to promote the quality and balanced development of compulsory education.
\n
A student financial assistance system covering all stages of education for every student from disadvantaged families has been established, with the amount of assistance increasing from RMB2.039 billion in 2012 to RMB9.306 billion in 2024. Students in Aksu, Kashi, and Hotan prefectures and the Kizilsu Kirgiz Autonomous Prefecture in southern Xinjiang receive free education for 15 years, from preschool to senior high school.
\n
Xinjiang has continued to optimize the configuration and structure of higher education. By 2024, the region had 63 institutions of higher learning, 24 more than 2012, and all five prefectures and autonomous prefectures in southern Xinjiang housed universities offering undergraduate programs, a historic breakthrough. The region has further expanded the scale of vocational education, with the number of students in vocational schools growing by 60.69 percent between 2012 and 2024 to reach 575,000. Through the establishment of a modern vocational education system, Xinjiang has cultivated a large number of highly skilled workers.
\n
Improved and optimized health service system. Xinjiang continues to improve its policies on promoting public health and has significantly increased its protection of people's health. By 2024, Xinjiang had over 19,000 medical institutions of various types at all levels and 314,600 staff in the healthcare system. The number of beds in medical institutions per thousand people in 2024 was 7.85, the number of licensed and assistant doctors was 3.19, and the number of registered nurses was 4.12.
\n
The service system has continued to improve. Xinjiang has established a total of 55 national-level key clinical specialties, 358 key clinical specialties and 54 specialty alliances at the autonomous region level, and 74 telemedicine coordination networks, all of which ensure that the people of all ethnic groups have access to affordable and effective medical services. It has worked to increase the availability of quality medical resources and ensure such resources are channeled towards the community level. The proportion of Xinjiang's closely integrated medical and health consortia at the county level has reached 86.05 percent, with all town and township health centers and village clinics in the region operating up to standards. Local patients can now obtain treatment for everyday health issues at the community level, for common illnesses in counties and prefectures, and for serious diseases within the autonomous region.
\n
Xinjiang has worked to build an international medical center and make it a signature and demonstration medical project in the core area of the Silk Road Economic Belt. It has sped up the development of three regional medical centers at the national level and four regional medical centers at the autonomous region level, and worked to fulfill their designated roles to ensure all people have access to medical services of higher quality.
\n
The region's ability to safeguard public health has seen significant improvement. Disease prevention and control centers and health monitoring institutions in 14 prefectures, autonomous prefectures and cities, and 96 counties, county-level cities, and districts in Xinjiang have been restructured to improve the system for disease prevention and control. The development of the health sector has helped improve people's health, with the average life expectancy in the region increasing from 30 years in 1949 to 77 years in 2024.
\n
An upgraded social security net. Xinjiang has continued to improve the multitiered social security system that covers the entire population in the urban and rural areas, see that it is fair, unified, reliable, well-regulated and sustainable, and speed up the formation of a strong safety net to ensure people's wellbeing.
\n
By the end of 2024, the number of people under the basic old-age pension scheme and the basic medical insurance system in Xinjiang stood at 16.91 million and 23.67 million respectively, each accounting for over 95 percent of Xinjiang's total population in their category. The number of people under the unemployment insurance and work-related injury insurance exceeded 4.19 million and 5.43 million, respectively, in the same period. While improving its social security system across the board, Xinjiang has worked to upgrade its services to ensure that the fruits of reform and development can benefit more people in a fair way.
\n
Xinjiang has established and improved the dynamic growth mechanism for social assistance standards and the price-linked adjustment mechanism for social assistance and social security standards. Since 2012, Xinjiang has increased the subsistence allowance 13 consecutive times to meet the people's basic living needs.
\n
X. Greater Synergy for Xinjiang's Development
\n
China's great achievements in the new era have been forged through the hard work of the Party and the people. The historic success in all undertakings in Xinjiang and all the epoch-making changes are fundamentally attributed to the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Xi Jinping at its core. It is the result of unconditional assistance from all parts of the country and the hard work of the people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang.
\n
The Party and the country's solid support — the foundation for Xinjiang's development. The CPC's firm leadership is the greatest political strength for Xinjiang to overcome all challenges and press forward on the path of Chinese modernization. The CPC Central Committee with Xi Jinping at its core has given utmost attention to Xinjiang's development by setting the Party's guidelines for governing Xinjiang in the new era, delineating Xinjiang's five strategic roles in national development, and issuing policy measures for improving people's wellbeing, strengthening social cohesion, and promoting high-quality economic and social development in the region. The Party central leadership has ensured that fundamental principles are upheld in the work related to Xinjiang while breaking new ground.
\n
Under the unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee, the whole Party and the entire nation have adopted a unified approach to national development through overall planning and coordinated action. In the case of Xinjiang, the country has put in place mechanisms under which central departments provide policy support and guidance, provincial and municipal governments cooperate and provide assistance, and Xinjiang's government plays a principal role. These mechanisms have created great synergy for the autonomous region's development.
\n
The central government provides special support for Xinjiang in terms of funds, projects, preferential policies, industry support, and investments. Since 2012, it has allocated more than RMB4 trillion in transfer payments to Xinjiang, including nearly RMB543.48 billion in 2024 alone.
\n
The firm leadership of the Party Central Committee and its solid support provide fundamental guidance for Xinjiang-related work in the new era, giving it a strong impetus.
\n
Notable improvements in paired assistance to Xinjiang. Paired assistance is a strategic policy measure to maintain lasting stability, peace and security in Xinjiang. Central Party and government departments, state-owned enterprises directly administered by the central government, and designated provinces and municipalities provide paired assistance to Xinjiang on a comprehensive, targeted and long-term basis. These assistance efforts include dispatching officials and professionals, implementing projects in specific industries, advancing sci-tech and education development, providing medical and health services, and promoting culture and tourism.
\n
Since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, the central government has allocated over RMB200 billion in paired assistance funds for Xinjiang, secured RMB3 trillion in investments for economic cooperation projects, and introduced more than 15,000 enterprises into the region, helping Xinjiang onto a path of high-quality development.
\n
Paired assistance to Xinjiang prioritizes safeguarding and improving people's wellbeing. During the 14th Five-year Plan period (2021-2025), 89.2 percent of assistance funds for Xinjiang were earmarked for projects related to the people's wellbeing, and 91.3 percent of funds served grassroots needs, improving the welfare of the people from all ethnic groups.
\n
Under this mechanism, large groups of officials from other parts of the country have been selected and dispatched to work in Xinjiang, and Xinjiang's grassroots officials have received training in more developed places that provide assistance, thereby increasing communication and exchanges between them. Cultural exchanges have been organized to boost communication between people from various ethnic groups in and outside Xinjiang, at multiple levels and in diverse forms. Officials and professionals stationed in Xinjiang have provided effective assistance with selfless devotion, and strengthened the bond between people in Xinjiang and in other parts of the country, helping build a strong synergy for realizing the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation.
\n
Civil-military integration — new impetus for Xinjiang's development. The Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps serves as a major strategic force for realizing Xinjiang's development goals. Upholding the policy of coordination between civilian and military sectors, the autonomous region and the Corps have aligned themselves in designing strategic plans, formulating overarching plans, dovetailing special plans, and coordinating local plans. This integrated approach aims to foster development by leveraging complementary strengths and building close-knit communities.
\n
Xinjiang has improved the mechanisms for civil-military integration through innovative practices. The civilian and military sectors have jointly implemented a group of key infrastructure projects, including three 10 million-kW new energy bases in Hami City, the Zhundong Economic-Technological Development Park, and around the Tarim Basin. They have worked together to promote high-quality development of platforms for opening up, such as pilot free trade zones, comprehensive bonded areas, pilot zones for development and opening up, and economic and technological development zones.
\n
The civilian and military sectors in Xinjiang have promoted resource sharing and service integration. Twenty higher education institutions, 40 secondary vocational schools, and 590 kindergartens, elementary schools and secondary schools have been respectively paired up for mutual assistance, while a total of 196 medical partnerships have been established.
\n
Civil-military integration in Xinjiang is going wider and deeper, contributing to common development through unity and mutual assistance and by leveraging complementary strengths.
\n
Building a beautiful home through hard work. Today's Xinjiang is characterized by social stability and harmony, ethnic unity and progress, and a strong development momentum. It is a region of cultural prosperity and religious harmony where the people enjoy peace and contentment in life and work. The vast lands on both sides of the Tianshan Mountains are enjoying peace and pulsating with vigor and energy.
\n
Under the firm leadership of the CPC Central Committee, and with the strong support of the entire nation, the more than 26 million people in Xinjiang are working hard to achieve greater progress, bearing in mind the Party's hopes in them. Following the Party's guidelines for governing Xinjiang in the new era in full, to the letter, and in all fields, they uphold the overall goal of stability, peace and security, and focus their work on fostering a stronger sense of the Chinese nation as one community. They have fulfilled their principal role and contributed substantial efforts in advancing Xinjiang's development, an endeavor of fundamental, indispensable and long-term significance to China's overall development.
\n
With unprecedented initiative and a strong motivation to create history, they are adding Xinjiang's chapters to the annals of Chinese modernization with unparalleled confidence, striving to turn into reality the grand blueprint for Xinjiang drawn up by the Party Central Committee with Xi Jinping at its core.
\n
Conclusion
\n
In the mighty tides of history, we must temper our will and character to prepare for new journeys and surmount new obstacles that come before us.
\n
The great achievements in pursuing reform, development and stability in Xinjiang in the new era are, fundamentally, attributed to the leadership by General Secretary Xi Jinping as the core of both the CPC Central Committee and the entire Party, to the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and to the full, accurate and faithful implementation of the Party's guidelines for governing Xinjiang in the new era.
\n
Following the guidelines, we have made a historic leap in the system and capacity for governing border areas, and have found the right way of ensuring both development and security in these areas, driving forward the Xinjiang practice in China's modernization, and achieving the overall goal of social stability and lasting peace and security in the region.
\n
However distant as it may seem, a dream can be achieved as long as we pursue it; however lofty as it may appear, a goal is attainable as long as we work for it. This year marks the 70th anniversary of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Looking ahead, in the grand endeavors on either side of the Tianshan Mountains and on the great journey of China's modernization, the Party's guidelines for governing Xinjiang in the new era will undoubtedly demonstrate its enduring effectiveness while continually developing and being enriched. Following their guidance, Xinjiang will embark on an increasingly broad development path and embrace an even brighter future.
The State Council Information Office released the white paper, titled CPC Guidelines for Governing Xinjiang in the New Era: Practice and Achievements, on Friday. The document comes at a meaningful moment, as Oct 1 this year will mark the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region.
\n
Over the past seven decades, under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, Xinjiang has undergone a remarkable transformation. Particularly, in the new era, the region has markedly consolidated the foundation for peace, stability and development, highlighting Xinjiang's strategic importance to overall national development. No wonder the white paper says that Xinjiang is experiencing the best period of development in history.
\n
Although Xinjiang is a border region, its development has never been a peripheral issue, but an issue of importance for national stability, security and development. In the new era, the central leadership has viewed Xinjiang's development from a holistic perspective featuring systematic thinking, foresight and down-to-earth pragmatism. This perspective has shaped a set of guidelines that combine law-based governance, ethnic unity, cultural confidence, prosperity and long-term stability into a comprehensive framework.
\n
The guidelines are not abstract principles. By integrating stability and development, cultural bonds and economic progress, internal cohesion and external openness, the CPC has explored a governance model that is forward-looking and people-centered, as well as suiting Xinjiang's practical situation. The region's stability, good governance and development in recent years stand as proof of the effectiveness of the CPC guidelines for governing Xinjiang.
\n
Above all, the CPC has consistently placed the interests of the people in Xinjiang at the forefront of governance in the new era. Whether in poverty alleviation, infrastructure development, cultural preservation or ecological protection, the guiding principle has been that all progress must translate into tangible benefits for local residents. From reliable livelihoods and housing to better education, healthcare and cultural services, people across the region have felt concrete improvements in their daily lives. A greater sense of gain, happiness and security is not a slogan but a lived reality.
\n
This people-first approach also underpins the CPC's handling of such issues as ethnic relations and religious affairs. As the white paper stresses, fostering a stronger sense of the Chinese nation as one community is the foundation for long-term stability for the whole country, including Xinjiang. This unity is built not on uniformity, but on respect for diversity.
\n
The languages, cultures and traditions of the many ethnic groups in the region are respected and protected according to law, while exchanges and integration are encouraged to strengthen bonds. Religious freedom is safeguarded under the law, while extremism is resolutely opposed. The aim is clear: to ensure that all ethnic groups live in harmony and share the benefits of development.
\n
The CPC's guidelines for governing Xinjiang have also opened the door for the region to integrate with the wider world. As an important gateway of the Silk Road Economic Belt, Xinjiang is steadily expanding its role as a bridge linking China with Central Asia, Europe and beyond.
\n
This opening-up process has brought not only new opportunities for trade and investment but also greater connectivity for local people. Openness, combined with stability, ensures that Xinjiang is not isolated but fully part of both the national and global economy. It is no longer the hinterland on China's economic map but the forefront of the country's high-standard opening-up.
\n
It is this combination of stability, prosperity and openness that offers a strong rebuttal to the false accusations made by some external forces. For years, they have attempted to smear China with baseless claims about Xinjiang. But the reality on the ground is undeniable: Xinjiang is peaceful, its people are living harmoniously together and its development continues to improve the lives of millions. The white paper therefore is not just an account of Xinjiang's governance; it is a statement of the fact that Xinjiang's progress is the most convincing answer to its naysayers.
\n
As Xinjiang continues to modernize, integrate with the world, and raise the living standards of its residents, it is demonstrating the effectiveness of its governance under the CPC's leadership.
\n
Xinjiang's progress serves as an example for other border and multiethnic regions. It shows that under the CPC's leadership areas once suffering from instability can become regions of unity, vitality and opportunity. In this sense, Xinjiang is not only a story of regional transformation but also a template of Chinese modernization in practice, and a reflection of China's broader governance philosophy in the new era.
\n",
@@ -2241,28 +1999,6 @@
"hash": "322ec37af9293469b80eac78f99e8333",
"highlights": []
},
- {
- "title": "011VIEWS - Peace, development are what China really pursues",
- "description": "\n
The author is an associate researcher at the School of Humanities, Shanghai Jiao Tong University.
\n
Editor's note: The Sept 3 military parade was held in Beijing to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. Adhering to a path of peaceful development, China opposes hegemonism of all kinds. That's why it is promoting a community with a shared future for humanity. Three experts share their views on the issue with China Daily.
\n
When discussing the Sept 3 military parade, held to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) and the World Anti-Fascist War, it is necessary to know that for a century since the Opium Wars, foreign powers kept invading and occupying parts of China, committing atrocities on the Chinese people, and looting the country's wealth. Even today, US-led Western forces are using every possible method including encircling China militarily to contain its peaceful rise.
\n
These facts are crucial for understanding China's current political, economic and foreign policies. Some Western powers still believe in the axiom, "might makes right", and thus assume that a stronger China would inevitably seek "revenge" for being invaded and partly occupied from the mid-19th to the mid-20th centuries. But that is not true.
\n
China has chosen a development path distinct from that of the United States and the rest of the West. It has proposed to build a community with a shared future for humanity, emphasizing global cooperation, mutual benefit and peaceful coexistence. This principle has been widely recognized and even included in United Nations General Assembly resolutions for eight consecutive years. Importantly, the term humanity encompasses people in the West.
\n
Some Western politicians and observers assume that as China gains in national strength, it may seek to dominate other countries to maximize its own interests. But such assumptions don't align with China's foreign policy.
\n
If China really has such intentions, why doesn't it emulate the US by resorting to unilateralism and pulling out of international organizations like United Nations agencies and international treaties? In reality, China has followed all the rules of the UN-led postwar world order while upholding international law, and is helping build a fairer global governance system.
\n
The US and Japan accuse China of "challenging the world order" because it is calling for reforming the Western-dominated world order into a fairer and more inclusive rules-based system, which by no means is an attempt to establish a new world order led by China.
\n
As part of its attempt to build a community with a shared future for humanity, China is implementing the Belt and Road Initiative, which is aimed at improving infrastructure connectivity among countries. The Belt and Road Initiative connects China with Central Asia, the Middle East, and Europe by land, and Southeast Asia, Africa and even the Americas via maritime routes, promoting shared development.
\n
While some Western countries view the BRI as China's tool for expanding its economic influence, they ignore an important fact: well-developed connectivity also facilitates the export and import of goods and services from and to China and the rest of the world.
\n
By helping other countries improve their infrastructure, China is creating conditions for BRI partner countries to export and import goods and services to and from global markets. If China intended to pursue power politics, it would not be promoting such mutually beneficial projects.
\n
So, why does China still advance the Belt and Road Initiative?
\n
Unlike developed countries' attempts to maintain the economic cycle centered on the West, the globalization advocated by China aims to develop a two-way open economic environment, creating equal opportunities for developing countries to pursue economic development. China follows this development principle because it recognizes that balanced development is essential for long-term global stability and prosperity. When all countries share the benefits of development, the interconnectedness and shared destiny become a guarantee of security.
\n
By adopting this approach, China seeks to end the structural injustices that have led to exploitation of developing countries. When countries can achieve economic growth following their own development path, they can help build an international community free from war and hegemony.
\n
More important, China does not view Japan or any other country as a rival nor does it incite anti-Japanese sentiments. As the country that suffered the most from Japanese invasion and occupation, China knows the necessity of preventing the recurrence of such aggression. It is the countries that refuse to face their wartime past and even glorify their war crimes that pose a real threat to human existence. Remaining vigilant against the guile of military powers is the shared responsibility of all countries, and China is doing exactly that.
\n
The Sept 3 military parade was by no means a show of force. Rather, it was a message to the world that the Chinese people, who once suffered wartime atrocities, are committed to joining hands with all peace-loving people to defend the hard-won independence and sovereignty, and build a future of peaceful coexistence.
\n
The Victory Day commemoration reminded every country that their policy stance determined whether they would tolerate plunder and aggression or stand up against injustice, and pursue fairness and inclusiveness. The commemoration underscored Beijing's commitment to peace and its vision for development, international cooperation and shared prosperity.
\n
In an era marked by uncertainty, China's choices and actions offer the world a new possibility, a model of global governance based on equality, mutual benefit and win-win outcomes.
\n
Through this vision and a series of robust, practical actions that transcend ideological, political and social differences, China is sending out an unequivocal message to the world: peace and development are the shared aspirations of all humanity, and only through collaboration and cooperation can we build a peaceful and promising future.
\n
The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily.
\n",
- "content": "\n
The author is an associate researcher at the School of Humanities, Shanghai Jiao Tong University.
\n
Editor's note: The Sept 3 military parade was held in Beijing to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. Adhering to a path of peaceful development, China opposes hegemonism of all kinds. That's why it is promoting a community with a shared future for humanity. Three experts share their views on the issue with China Daily.
\n
When discussing the Sept 3 military parade, held to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) and the World Anti-Fascist War, it is necessary to know that for a century since the Opium Wars, foreign powers kept invading and occupying parts of China, committing atrocities on the Chinese people, and looting the country's wealth. Even today, US-led Western forces are using every possible method including encircling China militarily to contain its peaceful rise.
\n
These facts are crucial for understanding China's current political, economic and foreign policies. Some Western powers still believe in the axiom, "might makes right", and thus assume that a stronger China would inevitably seek "revenge" for being invaded and partly occupied from the mid-19th to the mid-20th centuries. But that is not true.
\n
China has chosen a development path distinct from that of the United States and the rest of the West. It has proposed to build a community with a shared future for humanity, emphasizing global cooperation, mutual benefit and peaceful coexistence. This principle has been widely recognized and even included in United Nations General Assembly resolutions for eight consecutive years. Importantly, the term humanity encompasses people in the West.
\n
Some Western politicians and observers assume that as China gains in national strength, it may seek to dominate other countries to maximize its own interests. But such assumptions don't align with China's foreign policy.
\n
If China really has such intentions, why doesn't it emulate the US by resorting to unilateralism and pulling out of international organizations like United Nations agencies and international treaties? In reality, China has followed all the rules of the UN-led postwar world order while upholding international law, and is helping build a fairer global governance system.
\n
The US and Japan accuse China of "challenging the world order" because it is calling for reforming the Western-dominated world order into a fairer and more inclusive rules-based system, which by no means is an attempt to establish a new world order led by China.
\n
As part of its attempt to build a community with a shared future for humanity, China is implementing the Belt and Road Initiative, which is aimed at improving infrastructure connectivity among countries. The Belt and Road Initiative connects China with Central Asia, the Middle East, and Europe by land, and Southeast Asia, Africa and even the Americas via maritime routes, promoting shared development.
\n
While some Western countries view the BRI as China's tool for expanding its economic influence, they ignore an important fact: well-developed connectivity also facilitates the export and import of goods and services from and to China and the rest of the world.
\n
By helping other countries improve their infrastructure, China is creating conditions for BRI partner countries to export and import goods and services to and from global markets. If China intended to pursue power politics, it would not be promoting such mutually beneficial projects.
\n
So, why does China still advance the Belt and Road Initiative?
\n
Unlike developed countries' attempts to maintain the economic cycle centered on the West, the globalization advocated by China aims to develop a two-way open economic environment, creating equal opportunities for developing countries to pursue economic development. China follows this development principle because it recognizes that balanced development is essential for long-term global stability and prosperity. When all countries share the benefits of development, the interconnectedness and shared destiny become a guarantee of security.
\n
By adopting this approach, China seeks to end the structural injustices that have led to exploitation of developing countries. When countries can achieve economic growth following their own development path, they can help build an international community free from war and hegemony.
\n
More important, China does not view Japan or any other country as a rival nor does it incite anti-Japanese sentiments. As the country that suffered the most from Japanese invasion and occupation, China knows the necessity of preventing the recurrence of such aggression. It is the countries that refuse to face their wartime past and even glorify their war crimes that pose a real threat to human existence. Remaining vigilant against the guile of military powers is the shared responsibility of all countries, and China is doing exactly that.
\n
The Sept 3 military parade was by no means a show of force. Rather, it was a message to the world that the Chinese people, who once suffered wartime atrocities, are committed to joining hands with all peace-loving people to defend the hard-won independence and sovereignty, and build a future of peaceful coexistence.
\n
The Victory Day commemoration reminded every country that their policy stance determined whether they would tolerate plunder and aggression or stand up against injustice, and pursue fairness and inclusiveness. The commemoration underscored Beijing's commitment to peace and its vision for development, international cooperation and shared prosperity.
\n
In an era marked by uncertainty, China's choices and actions offer the world a new possibility, a model of global governance based on equality, mutual benefit and win-win outcomes.
\n
Through this vision and a series of robust, practical actions that transcend ideological, political and social differences, China is sending out an unequivocal message to the world: peace and development are the shared aspirations of all humanity, and only through collaboration and cooperation can we build a peaceful and promising future.
\n
The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily.
Aviation Industry Corp of China, the nation's dominant aircraft maker, has modified one of its unmanned aircraft models into a platform capable of facilitating maritime search and rescue operations.
\n
The Wing Loong 10H — developed based on the Wing Loong 10 high-altitude, high-speed reconnaissance drone — is capable of conducting rapid search missions over coastal waters, according to designers at AVIC Chengdu Unmanned Aerial Vehicle System.
\n
Powered by two turbofan engines, the unmanned jet can quickly reach designated areas.
\n
Designers said it is equipped with a high-definition electro-optical pod, a communication signal relay pod, a signal search and positioning pod, and a meteorological sonde pod. It can also be fitted with other rescue equipment in accordance with customer needs.
\n
The high-definition electro-optical pod can detect targets in distress at sea from a long distance in the air, and transmit real-time images back to ground controllers, providing additional information for decision-making. The signal search and positioning pod can quickly determine the location of stranded personnel and ships, while the communication signal relay pod can continuously provide high-bandwidth communication for stranded personnel and ships. The meteorological sonde pod can accurately detect and analyze the weather above sea surfaces, providing meteorological support for rescue operations.
\n
In addition, the Wing Loong 10H can carry an emergency rescue airdrop buoyant pod to deliver and retrieve urgently needed materials and equipment for those in distress, providing valuable time for subsequent rescue operations.
\n
A large mockup of the pilotless jet has been on display at the AVIC hall at the 2025 aviation open-day activities of the People's Liberation Army Air Force, which began on Friday and concludes on Tuesday in Changchun, capital of Jilin province.
\n
According to specs provided by AVIC, the Wing Loong 10H is 9.9 meters long and 3.7 meters tall, with a wingspan of 17.8 meters.
\n
The drone has a maximum takeoff weight of 3.5 metric tons and a top speed of 550 kilometers per hour. It has a maximum operational altitude of 11 km and can carry up to 400 kilograms of mission payloads.
\n
Wu Peixin, an aviation industry observer, said the advantages of drones in maritime search and rescue tasks include short preparation time, long stays over designated places, no pilot-safety concerns and good cost-effectiveness.
\n
"Compared with manned planes, drones are cheaper and expendable, and don't need rest time, which means you can deploy them in bad weather or tough environments without having to worry about operators' safety. They are more suitable for operations such as signal relays and meteorological measurements," he explained.
\n
Before the Wing Loong 10H, AVIC had built several civilian models based on the Wing Loong series armed drones to serve emergency-response, communication relay, weather forecasting and other public service operations.
\n
Contact the writers at zhaolei@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
- "content": "
A mockup of Wing Loong 10H is on display.
\n
Aviation Industry Corp of China, the nation's dominant aircraft maker, has modified one of its unmanned aircraft models into a platform capable of facilitating maritime search and rescue operations.
\n
The Wing Loong 10H — developed based on the Wing Loong 10 high-altitude, high-speed reconnaissance drone — is capable of conducting rapid search missions over coastal waters, according to designers at AVIC Chengdu Unmanned Aerial Vehicle System.
\n
Powered by two turbofan engines, the unmanned jet can quickly reach designated areas.
\n
Designers said it is equipped with a high-definition electro-optical pod, a communication signal relay pod, a signal search and positioning pod, and a meteorological sonde pod. It can also be fitted with other rescue equipment in accordance with customer needs.
\n
The high-definition electro-optical pod can detect targets in distress at sea from a long distance in the air, and transmit real-time images back to ground controllers, providing additional information for decision-making. The signal search and positioning pod can quickly determine the location of stranded personnel and ships, while the communication signal relay pod can continuously provide high-bandwidth communication for stranded personnel and ships. The meteorological sonde pod can accurately detect and analyze the weather above sea surfaces, providing meteorological support for rescue operations.
\n
In addition, the Wing Loong 10H can carry an emergency rescue airdrop buoyant pod to deliver and retrieve urgently needed materials and equipment for those in distress, providing valuable time for subsequent rescue operations.
\n
A large mockup of the pilotless jet has been on display at the AVIC hall at the 2025 aviation open-day activities of the People's Liberation Army Air Force, which began on Friday and concludes on Tuesday in Changchun, capital of Jilin province.
\n
According to specs provided by AVIC, the Wing Loong 10H is 9.9 meters long and 3.7 meters tall, with a wingspan of 17.8 meters.
\n
The drone has a maximum takeoff weight of 3.5 metric tons and a top speed of 550 kilometers per hour. It has a maximum operational altitude of 11 km and can carry up to 400 kilograms of mission payloads.
\n
Wu Peixin, an aviation industry observer, said the advantages of drones in maritime search and rescue tasks include short preparation time, long stays over designated places, no pilot-safety concerns and good cost-effectiveness.
\n
"Compared with manned planes, drones are cheaper and expendable, and don't need rest time, which means you can deploy them in bad weather or tough environments without having to worry about operators' safety. They are more suitable for operations such as signal relays and meteorological measurements," he explained.
\n
Before the Wing Loong 10H, AVIC had built several civilian models based on the Wing Loong series armed drones to serve emergency-response, communication relay, weather forecasting and other public service operations.
HANGZHOU — As summer heat lingers, Yiwu, the eastern Chinese city known as "the world's supermarket", has already ushered in the "Christmas season".
\n
Shops in the Yiwu International Trade Market are filled with festive surprises — Santa Claus in summer outfits for Southern Hemisphere customers, and street lamps with artificial snowflakes swirling inside their lampshades — all carefully packed and ready to be shipped worldwide.
\n
While Christmas products await their global journey, machines producing the molds of those products are humming at factories in the Yiwu mold town, some 17 kilometers away. Workers are busy rushing to fulfill a continuous stream of orders.
\n
Yin Zhenghua, head of Yiwu Dingfeng Mold Factory, which specializes in producing molds for Christmas ornaments such as snowmen, pine cones and bells, emphasized the importance of high-quality molds.
\n
"A good mold is the foundation for producing millions of high-quality and consistent products," he said.
\n
He added that in the small commodities sector, disruptive innovation is rare, with most improvements being minor upgrades in appearance, function or structure. "The mold town significantly reduces the cost and time for trial and error in microinnovation," Yin noted.
\n
Since early 2025, his company has developed 80 new molds based on manufacturers' feedback, generating over 700,000 yuan ($98,544) in revenue.
\n
Chen Qizhi, general manager of the Yiwu Xianglaiji Craft Factory, which orders over 100 molds annually in the mold town for its new designs, highlighted the advantage of geographical proximity.
\n
"The small commodities market requires speed — fast updates in design and quick order delivery. Having the mold town nearby allows manufacturers to communicate, sample, modify, and produce efficiently," he said.
\n
To address the historical challenge of outsourcing mold production to cities of Taizhou in East China's Jiangsu province and Dongguan in South China's Guangdong province, Yiwu began systematically developing its own mold industry in 2014. Today, the 22-hectare Yiwu mold town hosts over 1,200 mold enterprises and employs more than 10,000 people.
\n
According to Tong Binbin, general manager of Yiwu Mold Industry Development Co, the market transaction volume of the mold town reached 2.04 billion yuan by August, representing a 56.4 percent year-on-year increase.
\n
The mold town produces over 3,000 types of molds annually, with 30 percent used locally, 30 percent supplied to enterprises in Zhejiang and neighboring provinces, and 40 percent exported to Southeast Asia, Africa and South America.
\n
"Yiwu mold town will continue to focus on the fast, flexible and cost-sensitive small commodities mold market while enhancing its advantages," Tong said, adding that the mold enterprises would strive to provide one-stop services, from industrial design and mold manufacturing to small-batch production, to improve the efficiency, speed and quality of Yiwu's manufacturing.
\n",
@@ -4995,28 +4687,6 @@
"hash": "501ad1222f5ebf10a4e8bd75340bb316",
"highlights": []
},
- {
- "title": "009VIEWS - Decision to promote education of county-level senior high schools timely",
- "description": "
Kang Bing
\n\n
In an executive meeting in late August, the State Council, China's Cabinet, decided to further promote education of county-level senior high schools. The news briefing on the issue, however, was largely neglected by the media which were then busy covering the preparations for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit in Tianjin and the Sept 3 military parade in Beijing.
\n
Media outlets failed to realize not only the significance of the news for millions of rural youngsters but also the strategic importance of the decision in furthering education reform.
\n
According to data, by the end of 2020, there were over 7,200 county-level senior high schools that have recruited many students from rural areas, making up about 51 percent of the national total.
\n
A big part of the financial support for the county-level schools comes from their county governments whose financial state largely decides the condition of these schools.
\n
As a result, some county-level senior high schools in the better-developed coastal areas boast advanced labs, well-equipped libraries, comfortable dorms and excellent gyms.
\n
But in the less-developed areas, where counties are usually short of money, even the best senior high schools may lack necessary teaching facilities and quality teachers.
\n
The proportion of urban high school teachers with a master's degree is much higher than that of county-level schools.
\n
Teachers in urban areas also have three-time more opportunities for participating in professional knowledge-refreshing training than their county-level counterparts.
\n
And only some of the graduates from county-level senior high schools can advance to universities after clearing the college entrance examination.
\n
Although the details of the State Council's new arrangement are not yet known, we hope the central government will provide more monetary support for county-level senior high schools in less-developed areas while urging the local governments to invest more in such schools.
\n
Increased investment by the central, provincial and county governments will allow county-level senior high schools to create more seats for students and enjoy better facilities.
\n
China has been pursuing urbanization, encouraging people in rural areas to work and live in towns and cities. Greater education opportunities, better education facilities and qualified teachers attract new immigrants to an urban area.
\n
Improved education quality in county-level senior high schools should play a big role in ensuring both rural and urban students receive quality education.
\n
Now that the central government has decided to promote education of county-level senior high schools, I'm sure education facilities in the senior high schools will be greatly improved in a few years.
\n
What is difficult, though, is improving teaching and managing staff. Hence, special arrangements should be made to encourage teachers' exchange programs between rural and urban schools.
\n
In fact, such exchanges are already taking place in some regions, though they're not as regular or popular as they should be.
\n
Attractive preferential policies, including better pay, more promotion opportunities, and housing and other subsidies, should be offered to encourage teachers with higher qualification to teach in county-level senior high schools in remote areas.
\n
Some regions have already implemented some of the above-mentioned policies. But such policies need to be applied nationwide to make them more authoritative and attractive.
\n
The central government can also consider extending its compulsory education program from the present nine years to 12 years, because it will help reduce the financial burden of many rural families that want their children to receive education at least up to the senior high school level.
\n
Since most of the county-level senior high schools are boarding schools, students' parents have to pay for not only tuition but also accommodation, food, textbooks, uniforms, transportation, and miscellaneous expenses.
\n
The yearly expenditure on a senior high school student could be anything between 15,000 yuan and 25,000 yuan.
\n
The inclusion of the three-year senior high school education in the compulsory education program will help millions of rural youngsters to continue their academic pursuit after completing junior high school education, thus enlarging our pool of potential talents.
\n
kangbing@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
- "content": "
Kang Bing
\n\n
In an executive meeting in late August, the State Council, China's Cabinet, decided to further promote education of county-level senior high schools. The news briefing on the issue, however, was largely neglected by the media which were then busy covering the preparations for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit in Tianjin and the Sept 3 military parade in Beijing.
\n
Media outlets failed to realize not only the significance of the news for millions of rural youngsters but also the strategic importance of the decision in furthering education reform.
\n
According to data, by the end of 2020, there were over 7,200 county-level senior high schools that have recruited many students from rural areas, making up about 51 percent of the national total.
\n
A big part of the financial support for the county-level schools comes from their county governments whose financial state largely decides the condition of these schools.
\n
As a result, some county-level senior high schools in the better-developed coastal areas boast advanced labs, well-equipped libraries, comfortable dorms and excellent gyms.
\n
But in the less-developed areas, where counties are usually short of money, even the best senior high schools may lack necessary teaching facilities and quality teachers.
\n
The proportion of urban high school teachers with a master's degree is much higher than that of county-level schools.
\n
Teachers in urban areas also have three-time more opportunities for participating in professional knowledge-refreshing training than their county-level counterparts.
\n
And only some of the graduates from county-level senior high schools can advance to universities after clearing the college entrance examination.
\n
Although the details of the State Council's new arrangement are not yet known, we hope the central government will provide more monetary support for county-level senior high schools in less-developed areas while urging the local governments to invest more in such schools.
\n
Increased investment by the central, provincial and county governments will allow county-level senior high schools to create more seats for students and enjoy better facilities.
\n
China has been pursuing urbanization, encouraging people in rural areas to work and live in towns and cities. Greater education opportunities, better education facilities and qualified teachers attract new immigrants to an urban area.
\n
Improved education quality in county-level senior high schools should play a big role in ensuring both rural and urban students receive quality education.
\n
Now that the central government has decided to promote education of county-level senior high schools, I'm sure education facilities in the senior high schools will be greatly improved in a few years.
\n
What is difficult, though, is improving teaching and managing staff. Hence, special arrangements should be made to encourage teachers' exchange programs between rural and urban schools.
\n
In fact, such exchanges are already taking place in some regions, though they're not as regular or popular as they should be.
\n
Attractive preferential policies, including better pay, more promotion opportunities, and housing and other subsidies, should be offered to encourage teachers with higher qualification to teach in county-level senior high schools in remote areas.
\n
Some regions have already implemented some of the above-mentioned policies. But such policies need to be applied nationwide to make them more authoritative and attractive.
\n
The central government can also consider extending its compulsory education program from the present nine years to 12 years, because it will help reduce the financial burden of many rural families that want their children to receive education at least up to the senior high school level.
\n
Since most of the county-level senior high schools are boarding schools, students' parents have to pay for not only tuition but also accommodation, food, textbooks, uniforms, transportation, and miscellaneous expenses.
\n
The yearly expenditure on a senior high school student could be anything between 15,000 yuan and 25,000 yuan.
\n
The inclusion of the three-year senior high school education in the compulsory education program will help millions of rural youngsters to continue their academic pursuit after completing junior high school education, thus enlarging our pool of potential talents.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Monday he was ready to extend by one year the last arms control treaty between Washington and Moscow if US President Donald Trump does the same. The New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, which caps the number of strategic nuclear warheads that the United States and Russia can deploy, and the deployment of land- and submarine-based missiles and bombers to deliver them, is due to run out on Feb 5.Putin told a meeting of Russia's Security Council that he was ready to roll over the treaty by one year in the interests of global nonproliferation and to help spur dialogue with Washington about the treaty's successor if Trump was ready to do the same.
\n
SYRIA
\n
Committee sets Oct 5 for parliamentary vote
\n
Syria's supreme committee for parliamentary elections announced on Sunday that voting for the 250-seat People's Assembly will be held on Oct 5, marking the country's first legislative election since the fall of former president Bashar al-Assad's government last year. The committee stated that the decision was made in accordance with the constitutional declaration and decrees issued earlier this year by interim leader Ahmad al-Sharaa, who established the election authority in June. The polls will follow a temporary, indirect electoral system aimed at forming a new legislature within 60 to 90 days.
Chinese railway operators are taking creative measures to lift the professionalism of its staff members. China Railway Taiyuan Group has launched a mentor-apprentice system to elevate the hands-on competence of its employees. In a work area of Taiyuan House-Building and Apartment Section, senior technician Liu Chunxi was guiding foreman Yan Jie through equipment operations while Yan took careful notes. After 10 years working side by side, the pair have become role models, sticking to a principle that "electrical work bears on equipment safety — there is no room for sloppiness." The section has tapped the "pass-it-on" role of veteran workers, allowing them to pass on professionalism among employees.
\n
Loan prime rates remain unchanged
\n
China's one-year loan prime rate, a market-based benchmark lending rate, came in at 3 percent on Monday, unchanged from the previous month. The over-five-year LPR, on which many lenders base their mortgage rates, also remained unchanged from the previous reading of 3.5 percent, according to the National Interbank Funding Center. Recent data showed that the country's weighted average interest rate for new business loans stood at about 3.1 percent in August, down 40 basis points from a year earlier, while the rate for new personal mortgages dropped to around 3.1 percent, a decrease of 25 basis points.
\n",
- "content": "
System helps boost professionalism
\n
Chinese railway operators are taking creative measures to lift the professionalism of its staff members. China Railway Taiyuan Group has launched a mentor-apprentice system to elevate the hands-on competence of its employees. In a work area of Taiyuan House-Building and Apartment Section, senior technician Liu Chunxi was guiding foreman Yan Jie through equipment operations while Yan took careful notes. After 10 years working side by side, the pair have become role models, sticking to a principle that "electrical work bears on equipment safety — there is no room for sloppiness." The section has tapped the "pass-it-on" role of veteran workers, allowing them to pass on professionalism among employees.
\n
Loan prime rates remain unchanged
\n
China's one-year loan prime rate, a market-based benchmark lending rate, came in at 3 percent on Monday, unchanged from the previous month. The over-five-year LPR, on which many lenders base their mortgage rates, also remained unchanged from the previous reading of 3.5 percent, according to the National Interbank Funding Center. Recent data showed that the country's weighted average interest rate for new business loans stood at about 3.1 percent in August, down 40 basis points from a year earlier, while the rate for new personal mortgages dropped to around 3.1 percent, a decrease of 25 basis points.
Two Chinese choirs sing songs of peace and harmony to mark the International Day of Peace in Morges, Switzerland, on Wednesday.
\n
MORGES, Switzerland — The Chinese folk classic Jasmine Flower echoed through Morges Temple on the shores of Lake Geneva on Wednesday as The Voices of Peace concert celebrated the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Switzerland.
\n
Drawing audiences from Switzerland, France, Germany, and Italy, the Beijing Qingzhou Choir and the Lidong Choir performed together, presenting the ode, Jian Jia, from China's ancient Shijing (The Book of Songs), as well as In the Depths of the Temple, a well-known duet from Georges Bizet's opera The Pearl Fishers.
\n
Tibor Savoldelli, a Swiss audience member, tells Xinhua that the concert was an excellent opportunity for cultural exchanges between China and Switzerland, and adds that the beautiful venue symbolized peace and promoted mutual understanding and cooperation between the two countries.
\n
Swiss citizen Feriz Imeri says the concert not only showed the Swiss but also the world that China values peace and understanding.
\n
Zhao Yuan, artistic director of the concert, says The Voice of Peace concert once again proved that music is humanity's common language.
\n
"It may bring warmth and lasting power to unite humanity and build lasting peace," Zhao says.
\n
The concert was part of the first Europe-China Youth Peace Forum, which convened on Sept 15 and brought together young people from around the world to discuss global peace. The forum adopted the theme "Past Lessons, Future Peace" and was held ahead of the International Day of Peace, which was celebrated on Sunday.
\n",
@@ -5083,28 +4731,6 @@
"hash": "4442fea6e301f2904695ed46a06cd17b",
"highlights": []
},
- {
- "title": "001FRONT - Washington urged to take faithful action",
- "description": "
Future progress on major China-US agenda items such as bilateral trade and TikTok operations in the United States depends on whether Washington will faithfully follow through on what it has promised during the latest China-US heads-of-state phone conversation, observers said.
\n
They made the remarks after President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump held their third phone talks this year on Friday evening. The first call was made in January and the second in June.
\n
Analysts described the talks as constructive, as both leaders highlighted the global implications of the two-way ties between the world's two largest economies.
\n
Xi said the two nations "are fully capable of helping each other succeed and prospering together", and Trump said the two countries working together can get many great things done that are good for world peace and stability.
\n
The two leaders also endorsed the recent consultation between Chinese and US officials on the economy and trade, and expressed hopes for commercial negotiations regarding TikTok operations in the US.
\n
Annual bilateral trade between the two sides exceeded $680 billion last year. China is now the US' second-largest source of imports and third-largest market for its exports, according to the Chinese embassy in the US.
\n
Wu Xinbo, dean of Fudan University's Institute of International Studies, said that Beijing has long urged Washington to stop suppressing China's technology-driven sectors, and the US has its own demands as well.
\n
"The heads-of-state talks — either on the phone or face to face — could help both sides arrive at more agreements and stabilize their economic ties," he said.
\n
"The Friday talks set the tone for the next step in developing the ties: advancing talks on the economy and trade while working together to keep the ties afloat. The expected result is to veer the relationship away from the drastic ups and downs that took place earlier this year," he said.
\n
Su Xiaohui, deputy director of the Department of American Studies at the China Institute of International Studies, said the latest conversation was "pragmatic and constructive", and Beijing's position on the TikTok case "reflects China's lasting efforts to secure its rightful interests and growth in the long term".
\n
"Through the talks, China has made clear that it supports Chinese companies' adding investment in the US, which the US side has aimed for, while Washington should shape an inviting climate for investors, make the play fair, and achieve a win-win situation, rather than forcing a deal or blackmailing," she said.
\n
Over the past two weeks, the world has seen several high-level dialogues take place between China and the US in various areas, such as the latest round of China-US economic and trade talks in Madrid, Spain, a phone talk between Foreign Minister Wang Yi and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and a video call between Minister of National Defense Dong Jun and US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
\n
On Sunday, Premier Li Qiang met a visiting delegation of US lawmakers, led by Representative Adam Smith, a Democrat from the US state of Washington, in Beijing. Li said China is willing to work with the US to address each other's concerns through communication in the spirit of equality, respect and mutual benefit.
\n
Li said that China and the US should be partners for joint development, treat each other sincerely, empower each other and achieve mutual success, adding that Washington should meet Beijing halfway and jointly advance the ties on the right track.
\n
Li also said the phone conversations between Xi and Trump this year reinforced bilateral dialogue and cooperation and provided strategic guidance for the China-US ties' development in the next phase.
\n
Sourabh Gupta, a senior fellow at the Institute for China-America Studies, said the phone call on Friday "represents a further easing of the strain in bilateral ties" caused by Washington's imposition of unilateral tariffs during the first four months of this year.
\n
"China has conveyed its receptivity to a large market purchase package. … America needs to come to the table with its quid pro quo," he said.
\n
Diao Daming, a professor of US studies at Renmin University of China's School of International Relations, said the conversation on Friday "confirms the validity of China-US joint efforts in stabilizing their ties through communication, and projects good faith in managing and controlling factors that may destabilize the ties".
\n
On Friday, Xi told Trump that the Chinese people "will never forget the valuable support provided by the United States and other anti-fascist allies "during World War II, and Trump said that China's recent Victory Day parade was phenomenal and beautiful.
\n
Li Haidong, a professor of US studies at China Foreign Affairs University, said, "Xi conveyed China's willingness to cherish peace and usher in the future, emphasized to the US side the importance of shaping a proper view of history, and reminded both countries of their responsibilities as major countries."
\n
Contact the writers at zhangyunbi@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
- "content": "
Future progress on major China-US agenda items such as bilateral trade and TikTok operations in the United States depends on whether Washington will faithfully follow through on what it has promised during the latest China-US heads-of-state phone conversation, observers said.
\n
They made the remarks after President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump held their third phone talks this year on Friday evening. The first call was made in January and the second in June.
\n
Analysts described the talks as constructive, as both leaders highlighted the global implications of the two-way ties between the world's two largest economies.
\n
Xi said the two nations "are fully capable of helping each other succeed and prospering together", and Trump said the two countries working together can get many great things done that are good for world peace and stability.
\n
The two leaders also endorsed the recent consultation between Chinese and US officials on the economy and trade, and expressed hopes for commercial negotiations regarding TikTok operations in the US.
\n
Annual bilateral trade between the two sides exceeded $680 billion last year. China is now the US' second-largest source of imports and third-largest market for its exports, according to the Chinese embassy in the US.
\n
Wu Xinbo, dean of Fudan University's Institute of International Studies, said that Beijing has long urged Washington to stop suppressing China's technology-driven sectors, and the US has its own demands as well.
\n
"The heads-of-state talks — either on the phone or face to face — could help both sides arrive at more agreements and stabilize their economic ties," he said.
\n
"The Friday talks set the tone for the next step in developing the ties: advancing talks on the economy and trade while working together to keep the ties afloat. The expected result is to veer the relationship away from the drastic ups and downs that took place earlier this year," he said.
\n
Su Xiaohui, deputy director of the Department of American Studies at the China Institute of International Studies, said the latest conversation was "pragmatic and constructive", and Beijing's position on the TikTok case "reflects China's lasting efforts to secure its rightful interests and growth in the long term".
\n
"Through the talks, China has made clear that it supports Chinese companies' adding investment in the US, which the US side has aimed for, while Washington should shape an inviting climate for investors, make the play fair, and achieve a win-win situation, rather than forcing a deal or blackmailing," she said.
\n
Over the past two weeks, the world has seen several high-level dialogues take place between China and the US in various areas, such as the latest round of China-US economic and trade talks in Madrid, Spain, a phone talk between Foreign Minister Wang Yi and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and a video call between Minister of National Defense Dong Jun and US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
\n
On Sunday, Premier Li Qiang met a visiting delegation of US lawmakers, led by Representative Adam Smith, a Democrat from the US state of Washington, in Beijing. Li said China is willing to work with the US to address each other's concerns through communication in the spirit of equality, respect and mutual benefit.
\n
Li said that China and the US should be partners for joint development, treat each other sincerely, empower each other and achieve mutual success, adding that Washington should meet Beijing halfway and jointly advance the ties on the right track.
\n
Li also said the phone conversations between Xi and Trump this year reinforced bilateral dialogue and cooperation and provided strategic guidance for the China-US ties' development in the next phase.
\n
Sourabh Gupta, a senior fellow at the Institute for China-America Studies, said the phone call on Friday "represents a further easing of the strain in bilateral ties" caused by Washington's imposition of unilateral tariffs during the first four months of this year.
\n
"China has conveyed its receptivity to a large market purchase package. … America needs to come to the table with its quid pro quo," he said.
\n
Diao Daming, a professor of US studies at Renmin University of China's School of International Relations, said the conversation on Friday "confirms the validity of China-US joint efforts in stabilizing their ties through communication, and projects good faith in managing and controlling factors that may destabilize the ties".
\n
On Friday, Xi told Trump that the Chinese people "will never forget the valuable support provided by the United States and other anti-fascist allies "during World War II, and Trump said that China's recent Victory Day parade was phenomenal and beautiful.
\n
Li Haidong, a professor of US studies at China Foreign Affairs University, said, "Xi conveyed China's willingness to cherish peace and usher in the future, emphasized to the US side the importance of shaping a proper view of history, and reminded both countries of their responsibilities as major countries."
\n
Contact the writers at zhangyunbi@chinadaily.com.cn
Founded on the principles of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, the Belt and Road Initiative has become an important platform for advancing regional connectivity and common development, officials from China and abroad said on Thursday in Xi'an, Shaanxi province.
\n
"The Belt and Road Initiative represents a new development path. It is a project of profound significance that connects continents and peoples around the world," said Ada Lopreiato, senator and chairperson of the Friends of China Parliamentary Association of the Inter-Parliamentary Union in the Italian Parliament.
\n
Lopreiato said promoting investment can bring transformative changes, and strengthening connectivity and cooperation can lead to mutual benefits. China is a major trading partner of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and Italy is also one of China's major trading partners. The two sides have achieved significant increases in trade and other areas.
\n
"Under the current complex global situation, geopolitics is confronted with many challenges, making the upholding of fundamental shared values of paramount importance," she added.
\n
The remarks were made at the China Economic and Social Forum 2025, hosted by the China Economic and Social Council and organized by the Shaanxi Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. The event drew over 80 participants from China and abroad for discussions on deepening exchanges and mutual learning to build a community with a shared future for humanity.
\n
Wu Wei, chairman of the Singapore-China Network Exchange, said the BRI has become "a crucial platform for promoting regional connectivity and common development". As the initiator, China has been continuously exploring ways to infuse new concepts and vitality into cooperation, he said.
\n
Wu highlighted cooperation between the two countries as a prime example, where China's vast market scale and infrastructure construction capabilities complement Singapore's international financial expertise and governance experience.
\n
"More importantly, both China and Singapore have consistently adhered to the principle of win-win cooperation. This collaboration is not a one-way assistance, but rather a mutually beneficial and jointly prosperous endeavor," he said.
\n
Zhao Yide, secretary of the Communist Party of China's Shaanxi Provincial Committee, noted the province's geographical advantages as a key hub connecting China with Central Asia, West Asia and Europe, adding that the province plans to further enhance its level of openness.
\n
"Shaanxi, a key gateway in China's efforts to open up to the outside world since ancient times, has become an important base for the country's westward outreach with the advancement of the Belt and Road Initiative," Zhao said.
\n
He added that the province will seize the favorable opportunity to accelerate both domestic and international opening-up efforts.
\n
Luo Zhaohui, former chairman of the China International Development Cooperation Agency, said the joint construction of the BRI has entered a new stage of high-quality development.
\n
Luo, who is also a member of the CPPCC National Committee, said that the BRI needs to be further aligned with the development initiatives of relevant countries. He proposed connecting the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor with the Pakistan-Iran land route corridor and identifying areas of greatest mutual benefit between Europe's Global Gateway plan and the BRI.
\n
"We need to better leverage regional cooperation mechanisms," Luo said. "Regional frameworks such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization are crucial priorities for advancing practical economic and trade collaboration, building on political security collaboration."
\n
Contact the writers at limenghan@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
@@ -5127,28 +4753,6 @@
"hash": "8d88606edd9b361a5179245880823d29",
"highlights": []
},
- {
- "title": "010COMMENT - Gyalze fireworks: a cautionary tale of greenwashing practices",
- "description": "
A fireworks show, co-organized by a company and an artist, that was staged in Gyalze, Shigatse, in the Xizang autonomous region on Saturday, has rightly provoked a wave of public criticism. Marketed by the outdoor brand as an "artistic tribute to nature", the spectacle instead raised deep concerns about the ecological integrity of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Far from being an act of reverence, the event revealed a troubling trend: the misuse of art as a cloak for commercial hype — a textbook case of greenwashing.
\n
The plateau, often called the "roof of the world", is a vital ecological barrier and a sanctuary for a variety of species. It is also among the most fragile ecosystems on Earth. To set off explosives for a fleeting display of light and smoke was more than reckless; it was disrespectful to the very environment the show claimed to honor. The residue of chemicals, the bursts of noise, and the disruption to wildlife cannot be dismissed as trivial. Once ecological damage occurs in such vulnerable areas, restoration is extremely difficult, if not impossible.
\n
That is why the key questions must be asked: why was this performance approved in the first place? Was any scientific assessment carried out? If not, the incident reflects not only poor judgment by the company and artist but also systemic loopholes in environmental oversight. The public deserves a reply. And if harm is proved to have been done, those responsible should not merely apologize, but also be held to account via penalties, compensation and concrete restoration measures. Only then can the incident serve as a real deterrent to others.
\n
What stands out in this controversy is the distortion of artistic expression. True art reveres nature, elevates the human spirit and embodies truth, goodness and beauty. What happened in Gyalze was not art in this sense, but the commodification of nature — turning the vulnerability of the natural world into a marketing gimmick. Cloaking a publicity stunt in lofty rhetoric about "paying tribute to nature" insults both art and ecology.
\n
Corporate actors must recognize that commercial logic has boundaries, especially in an ecological civilization. Marketing cannot come at the expense of environmental ethics. The Gyalze fireworks show is a vivid example of how attention-seeking under the guise of creativity can quickly backfire, eroding public trust and damaging brand credibility. Companies should learn that real value today lies not in pyrotechnic spectacles but in sustainable practices that genuinely respect the environment.
\n
The local authority of Shigatse released a statement on early Sunday morning, saying that they had set up an investigation team that rushed to the scene, and will handle the matter in accordance with laws and regulations based on the results of its on-site investigation, according to an official statement.
\n
Going forward, the lesson is clear: The authorities must strengthen governance by tightening approval procedures for artistic or commercial events in ecologically sensitive regions. No activity should proceed without rigorous scientific evaluation, and violations must carry serious consequences. At the same time, society should foster a healthier view of art — one that understands that the truest tribute to mountains, rivers and skies is not noisy fireworks but quiet protection.
\n
The Gyalze incident is more than a local controversy; it is a wake-up call. Ecological ethics cannot be sacrificed for spectacle, and greenwashing disguised as art is neither acceptable nor sustainable. The fireworks have faded, but the accountability must not. What should remain is not only regret but resolve: to protect the fragile beauty of the plateau, to punish those who cross ecological red lines, and to ensure that art, commerce and nature coexist in harmony — not conflict.
\n",
- "content": "
A fireworks show, co-organized by a company and an artist, that was staged in Gyalze, Shigatse, in the Xizang autonomous region on Saturday, has rightly provoked a wave of public criticism. Marketed by the outdoor brand as an "artistic tribute to nature", the spectacle instead raised deep concerns about the ecological integrity of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Far from being an act of reverence, the event revealed a troubling trend: the misuse of art as a cloak for commercial hype — a textbook case of greenwashing.
\n
The plateau, often called the "roof of the world", is a vital ecological barrier and a sanctuary for a variety of species. It is also among the most fragile ecosystems on Earth. To set off explosives for a fleeting display of light and smoke was more than reckless; it was disrespectful to the very environment the show claimed to honor. The residue of chemicals, the bursts of noise, and the disruption to wildlife cannot be dismissed as trivial. Once ecological damage occurs in such vulnerable areas, restoration is extremely difficult, if not impossible.
\n
That is why the key questions must be asked: why was this performance approved in the first place? Was any scientific assessment carried out? If not, the incident reflects not only poor judgment by the company and artist but also systemic loopholes in environmental oversight. The public deserves a reply. And if harm is proved to have been done, those responsible should not merely apologize, but also be held to account via penalties, compensation and concrete restoration measures. Only then can the incident serve as a real deterrent to others.
\n
What stands out in this controversy is the distortion of artistic expression. True art reveres nature, elevates the human spirit and embodies truth, goodness and beauty. What happened in Gyalze was not art in this sense, but the commodification of nature — turning the vulnerability of the natural world into a marketing gimmick. Cloaking a publicity stunt in lofty rhetoric about "paying tribute to nature" insults both art and ecology.
\n
Corporate actors must recognize that commercial logic has boundaries, especially in an ecological civilization. Marketing cannot come at the expense of environmental ethics. The Gyalze fireworks show is a vivid example of how attention-seeking under the guise of creativity can quickly backfire, eroding public trust and damaging brand credibility. Companies should learn that real value today lies not in pyrotechnic spectacles but in sustainable practices that genuinely respect the environment.
\n
The local authority of Shigatse released a statement on early Sunday morning, saying that they had set up an investigation team that rushed to the scene, and will handle the matter in accordance with laws and regulations based on the results of its on-site investigation, according to an official statement.
\n
Going forward, the lesson is clear: The authorities must strengthen governance by tightening approval procedures for artistic or commercial events in ecologically sensitive regions. No activity should proceed without rigorous scientific evaluation, and violations must carry serious consequences. At the same time, society should foster a healthier view of art — one that understands that the truest tribute to mountains, rivers and skies is not noisy fireworks but quiet protection.
\n
The Gyalze incident is more than a local controversy; it is a wake-up call. Ecological ethics cannot be sacrificed for spectacle, and greenwashing disguised as art is neither acceptable nor sustainable. The fireworks have faded, but the accountability must not. What should remain is not only regret but resolve: to protect the fragile beauty of the plateau, to punish those who cross ecological red lines, and to ensure that art, commerce and nature coexist in harmony — not conflict.
\n\n\n\n",
@@ -12039,28 +11643,6 @@
"hash": "5f74af3509bb7119b65229e9a44505ee",
"highlights": []
},
- {
- "title": "005CHINA - UNESCO institute inaugurated in Shanghai",
- "description": "
The UNESCO International Institute for STEM Education was officially inaugurated in Shanghai on Sunday, marking the first establishment of a UNESCO Category 1 Institute in China.
\n
In November 2023, the 42nd session of the UNESCO General Conference unanimously adopted a resolution to establish the Shanghai institute. It is the 10th Category 1 Institute globally and the first outside Europe and North America.
\n
The institute's functions include promoting education in science, technology, engineering and mathematics across all stages from early childhood to adulthood, with a focus on providing inclusive, equitable, relevant and high-quality STEM education for all.
\n
Minister of Education Huai Jinpeng welcomed the official establishment of the institute. He said it is the first Category 1 Institute jointly established by China and UNESCO, calling it a major milestone in cooperation and the result of joint efforts between China and UNESCO member states.
\n
China is committed to fulfilling its promises to the international community, Huai said, adding that the country will work with others to foster innovation and support the institute as a source of advanced STEM concepts, a testing ground for educational ideas and an international platform for promoting educational transformation, technological innovation and sustainable development.
\n
Shanghai Mayor Gong Zheng said the city will take the establishment of the institute as an opportunity to strengthen the cultivation of sci-tech talent, enhance public scientific literacy, advance high-level opening-up in education and accelerate efforts to build Shanghai into a hub for international STEM education development.
\n
Shanghai will fully support the institute and contribute to global educational reform, innovation and the realization of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, he said.
\n
UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay said Shanghai, with its concentration of knowledge, scientific innovation and historical heritage, provides a first-class venue for the institute.
\n
Azoulay said the establishment of a Category 1 Institute in Shanghai carries a broad vision and extraordinary significance. She said the institute will promote STEM fields, advance global educational equity and help countries address shared challenges.
\n
Even before the resolution for the new institute, the UNESCO Teacher Education Center, a Category 2 Institute at Shanghai Normal University since 2021, has been supporting global STEM education.
\n
In 2022, the university and UNESCO launched the "Go to Global South: Shanghai International STEM Education Volunteer Project", which aims to address urgent educational challenges in the Global South by offering training to teachers. It has trained more than 600 potential and current teachers so far.
The UNESCO International Institute for STEM Education was officially inaugurated in Shanghai on Sunday, marking the first establishment of a UNESCO Category 1 Institute in China.
\n
In November 2023, the 42nd session of the UNESCO General Conference unanimously adopted a resolution to establish the Shanghai institute. It is the 10th Category 1 Institute globally and the first outside Europe and North America.
\n
The institute's functions include promoting education in science, technology, engineering and mathematics across all stages from early childhood to adulthood, with a focus on providing inclusive, equitable, relevant and high-quality STEM education for all.
\n
Minister of Education Huai Jinpeng welcomed the official establishment of the institute. He said it is the first Category 1 Institute jointly established by China and UNESCO, calling it a major milestone in cooperation and the result of joint efforts between China and UNESCO member states.
\n
China is committed to fulfilling its promises to the international community, Huai said, adding that the country will work with others to foster innovation and support the institute as a source of advanced STEM concepts, a testing ground for educational ideas and an international platform for promoting educational transformation, technological innovation and sustainable development.
\n
Shanghai Mayor Gong Zheng said the city will take the establishment of the institute as an opportunity to strengthen the cultivation of sci-tech talent, enhance public scientific literacy, advance high-level opening-up in education and accelerate efforts to build Shanghai into a hub for international STEM education development.
\n
Shanghai will fully support the institute and contribute to global educational reform, innovation and the realization of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, he said.
\n
UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay said Shanghai, with its concentration of knowledge, scientific innovation and historical heritage, provides a first-class venue for the institute.
\n
Azoulay said the establishment of a Category 1 Institute in Shanghai carries a broad vision and extraordinary significance. She said the institute will promote STEM fields, advance global educational equity and help countries address shared challenges.
\n
Even before the resolution for the new institute, the UNESCO Teacher Education Center, a Category 2 Institute at Shanghai Normal University since 2021, has been supporting global STEM education.
\n
In 2022, the university and UNESCO launched the "Go to Global South: Shanghai International STEM Education Volunteer Project", which aims to address urgent educational challenges in the Global South by offering training to teachers. It has trained more than 600 potential and current teachers so far.
Afghanistan should stand firm in rebuffing an attempt by the United States to reestablish a military base in the country, analysts said, adding the landlocked nation's future hinges on preventing fresh instability, maintaining good relations with all countries and realizing its potential as a hub of Eurasian connectivity.
\n
The comments came after US President Donald Trump said last week that his administration was seeking to retake control of the Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan, in order to enable the US military to reestablish a strategic presence in the region.
\n
Trump's call, four years after US troops' hasty withdrawal from Afghanistan following a two-decade war against the Taliban, has sparked outrage within Afghanistan as well as other countries in the region.
\n
On Sept 18, during a news conference with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in London, Trump mentioned Bagram Air Base, saying that the US was "trying to get it back "from Afghanistan's Taliban rulers.
\n
Over the weekend, Trump raised the topic again, saying that "we're talking now to Afghanistan" about the return of the air base.
\n
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump even issued a threat. "If Afghanistan doesn't give Bagram Air Base back to those that built it, the United States of America, BAD THINGS ARE GOING TO HAPPEN," he said.
\n
Afghanistan has rejected the call from Trump, with the chief Taliban spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, urging the US to adopt a policy of "realism and rationality".
\n
Afghanistan had an economy-oriented foreign policy and sought constructive relations with all states on the basis of mutual and shared interests, Mujahid said in a post on the social media platform X on Sunday.
\n
Earlier, the same day, the chief of staff at Afghanistan's Defense Ministry, Fasihuddin Fitrat, said, "Ceding even an inch of our soil to anyone is out of the question and impossible", according to a speech broadcast by Afghan media.
\n
Shameem Ahmad Nawber, an Afghan analyst and deputy director at the Institute for Digital Economy and Artificial Systems in Xiamen, in East China's Fujian province, said that from the standpoint of Afghanistan's national interest, rejecting any foreign military's return to the Bagram Air Base is a logical assertion of sovereignty, signaling a necessary shift away from the country's historical role as a theater for power conflicts.
\n
"Bagram's immense geopolitical value — offering surveillance and power projection over Central Asia, Russia, Iran, and western China — makes its sovereign control nonnegotiable," he said.
\n
"Ceding this control would inevitably trap the country in external rivalries and undermine any prospect of lasting peace, a price the Afghan people have paid for too long."
\n
The last US troops left Afghanistan at the end of August 2021, but the Afghan economy is still feeling the negative effects of the US' two-decade-long meddling in the country.
\n
Trump said his administration wants to take back the Bagram Air Base "not because of Afghanistan but because of China, because it's exactly one hour away from where China makes its nuclear missiles".
\n
A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Sept 19 that China respects Afghanistan's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and that "Afghanistan's future should rest in the hands of the Afghan people".
\n
"Let me stress that stirring up tensions and confrontation in the region will not be supported," spokesperson Lin Jian said at a regular press briefing in Beijing. "We hope all parties will play a constructive role in regional peace and stability."
\n
Afghan scholar Nawber noted that his nation's geography, long a curse, can also turn into its greatest asset if leveraged properly as a bridge between South Asia and Central Asia.
\n
"This requires a new paradigm built on regional consensus, where Afghanistan functions as a secure land bridge for trade and energy," he said.
\n
"In this framework, China can play an indispensable role, not as a patron, but as a key partner in providing the diplomatic support and infrastructure investment — through frameworks like the Belt and Road Initiative — needed to transform this vision of a prosperous and neutral Afghanistan into reality."
\n
vivienxu@chinadailyapac.com
\n",
@@ -12083,28 +11665,6 @@
"hash": "340dffbeafdccc837db8ea98c5446790",
"highlights": []
},
- {
- "title": "014BUSINESS - More HK residents eye retirement in mainland",
- "description": "
Visitors from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region enter Shenzhen, Guangdong province, via Luohu port.
\n
Under the current context of accelerated integrated development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, more and more senior Hong Kong residents are choosing to live out their golden years in retirement on the Chinese mainland, triggering reflection on cross-border healthcare.
\n
Data from the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region show that in 2024, nearly 100,000 Hong Kong residents 65 years old or above chose to settle down in Guangdong province for their retirement, a 40.5 percent increase compared to that of 10 years ago.
\n
"The price of commodities in the Chinese mainland is cheaper, the subsidy for a Hong Kong citizen is enough to spend through retirement there," a Hong Kong citizen who works in finance said.
\n
Judging from Hong Kong residents who choose to spend retirement on the Chinese mainland, the group mainly includes senior residents who share emotional connections with people in the Chinese mainland (those who were born and raised or had worked on the Chinese mainland), and those who feel pressure about spending their retirement in Hong Kong.
\n
Yu Ningqiao, an 82-year-old Hong Kong citizen, lives on the Old Age Living Allowance, which is issued by the HKSAR government and is over HK$4,000 ($514.74) per month. "Renting an apartment with one living room and one bedroom in the suburb of Shenzhen, Guangdong province, costs merely HK$2,000, while this price is unimaginable in Hong Kong," Yu said.
\n
"The price of commodities is also much lower, and I could catch up with old mates to drink tea or something," he said.
\n
Song Lee, a 29-year-old office clerk in Hong Kong, who was born and raised in Shenzhen, said that he is already considering spending his retirement back in Shenzhen, with the good cost performance of commodities and because he has friends there.
\n
However, bottlenecks still exist. Although since January 2020, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan residents are able to participate in the public health insurance of the Chinese mainland, since there are differences in the payment system, data interoperability remains a challenge. Currently, the healthcare insurance system of Hong Kong is not docked with that of the Chinese mainland, and healthcare records between the two sides are also not interconnected. Meanwhile, senior citizens need to travel between the two places for revisiting and getting medicine, which is highly time-consuming and costly.
\n
"For Hong Kong citizens, there is nearly zero payment to see a doctor in a public healthcare institution in Hong Kong, which means that living out their life in retirement in the Chinese mainland means giving up the nearly-free healthcare services in Hong Kong. Even if they participate in the public healthcare insurance in the Chinese mainland, there is usually a limited quota to reimburse inpatient expenses," said Shi Cheng, associate professor of the Institute of Policy Studies at Lingnan University of Hong Kong.
\n
Research on cross-border retirement of the Greater Bay Area showed that senior Hong Kong citizens who intend to spend their retirement on the Chinese mainland tend to consider questions including "How to see a doctor in the Chinese mainland", "Is there a reimbursement or fee reduction", "Are medicines provided in the Chinese mainland consistent with that in the Hong Kong drug catalogue", "Is the healthcare record interconnected".
\n
Zhan Junhao, founder of Fujian Huace Brand Positioning Consulting, said: "Solving the bottlenecks of cross-border healthcare requires a combination of measures. At the policy level, the integration of medical systems in Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao should be promoted, and a cross-border system to serve the aged should be built, to realize the mutual recognition of pension and healthcare insurance."
\n
"At the technical level, laws and regulations on cross-border data sharing should be optimized to promote the safe connection of data between Shenzhen and Hong Kong, so that healthcare records between the two places can be safely shared. At the service level, cross-border healthcare service points should be expanded, and the cross-border direct payment of commercial insurance should be introduced, to enhance the cross-border medical convenience," he added.
\n
Wang Peng, associate research fellow at the Beijing Academy of Social Sciences, added that the process of cross-border healthcare should be simplified and improved, such as offering Cantonese language service and personalized healthcare record management, so as to enhance the sense of belonging of senior Hong Kong citizens.
\n
zhengyiran@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
- "content": "
Visitors from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region enter Shenzhen, Guangdong province, via Luohu port.
\n
Under the current context of accelerated integrated development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, more and more senior Hong Kong residents are choosing to live out their golden years in retirement on the Chinese mainland, triggering reflection on cross-border healthcare.
\n
Data from the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region show that in 2024, nearly 100,000 Hong Kong residents 65 years old or above chose to settle down in Guangdong province for their retirement, a 40.5 percent increase compared to that of 10 years ago.
\n
"The price of commodities in the Chinese mainland is cheaper, the subsidy for a Hong Kong citizen is enough to spend through retirement there," a Hong Kong citizen who works in finance said.
\n
Judging from Hong Kong residents who choose to spend retirement on the Chinese mainland, the group mainly includes senior residents who share emotional connections with people in the Chinese mainland (those who were born and raised or had worked on the Chinese mainland), and those who feel pressure about spending their retirement in Hong Kong.
\n
Yu Ningqiao, an 82-year-old Hong Kong citizen, lives on the Old Age Living Allowance, which is issued by the HKSAR government and is over HK$4,000 ($514.74) per month. "Renting an apartment with one living room and one bedroom in the suburb of Shenzhen, Guangdong province, costs merely HK$2,000, while this price is unimaginable in Hong Kong," Yu said.
\n
"The price of commodities is also much lower, and I could catch up with old mates to drink tea or something," he said.
\n
Song Lee, a 29-year-old office clerk in Hong Kong, who was born and raised in Shenzhen, said that he is already considering spending his retirement back in Shenzhen, with the good cost performance of commodities and because he has friends there.
\n
However, bottlenecks still exist. Although since January 2020, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan residents are able to participate in the public health insurance of the Chinese mainland, since there are differences in the payment system, data interoperability remains a challenge. Currently, the healthcare insurance system of Hong Kong is not docked with that of the Chinese mainland, and healthcare records between the two sides are also not interconnected. Meanwhile, senior citizens need to travel between the two places for revisiting and getting medicine, which is highly time-consuming and costly.
\n
"For Hong Kong citizens, there is nearly zero payment to see a doctor in a public healthcare institution in Hong Kong, which means that living out their life in retirement in the Chinese mainland means giving up the nearly-free healthcare services in Hong Kong. Even if they participate in the public healthcare insurance in the Chinese mainland, there is usually a limited quota to reimburse inpatient expenses," said Shi Cheng, associate professor of the Institute of Policy Studies at Lingnan University of Hong Kong.
\n
Research on cross-border retirement of the Greater Bay Area showed that senior Hong Kong citizens who intend to spend their retirement on the Chinese mainland tend to consider questions including "How to see a doctor in the Chinese mainland", "Is there a reimbursement or fee reduction", "Are medicines provided in the Chinese mainland consistent with that in the Hong Kong drug catalogue", "Is the healthcare record interconnected".
\n
Zhan Junhao, founder of Fujian Huace Brand Positioning Consulting, said: "Solving the bottlenecks of cross-border healthcare requires a combination of measures. At the policy level, the integration of medical systems in Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao should be promoted, and a cross-border system to serve the aged should be built, to realize the mutual recognition of pension and healthcare insurance."
\n
"At the technical level, laws and regulations on cross-border data sharing should be optimized to promote the safe connection of data between Shenzhen and Hong Kong, so that healthcare records between the two places can be safely shared. At the service level, cross-border healthcare service points should be expanded, and the cross-border direct payment of commercial insurance should be introduced, to enhance the cross-border medical convenience," he added.
\n
Wang Peng, associate research fellow at the Beijing Academy of Social Sciences, added that the process of cross-border healthcare should be simplified and improved, such as offering Cantonese language service and personalized healthcare record management, so as to enhance the sense of belonging of senior Hong Kong citizens.
Left: Students attend Curtin University Dubai's orientation day this year. Right: Students from the university who participated in the 2024 MakeX Robotics Competition display their certificates and medals.
\n
The atrium of Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates is designed to enhance interaction and exchanges between faculty members and students at the university.
\n
Tang Jiaxin (right), who studied at Heriot-Watt University Dubai, is working for a Chinese company in Sharjah, UAE.
\n
Wu Yuqing (right), a student at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, poses with her roommate from Turkiye.
\n
Luo Hao (left), who is studying at the University of Sharjah, poses with his friends at a party in Sharjah.
\n
Under the searing sun, 19-year-old Wu Yuqing dragged her suitcase across the sprawling campus of King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals in Saudi Arabia — her new home for the next four years.
\n
Just a day earlier, she had been in her hometown of Shuozhou, Shanxi province. Nearly 24 hours later, after taking a train to Beijing and a plane to Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, and then making a final hop to Dammam in eastern Saudi Arabia, she started her overseas study experience at the university.
\n
Wu is among a small but growing group of Chinese students now turning away from the well-trodden paths to North America, Europe and Australia, and toward the Middle East — a region once seen as distant, but now increasingly tied to China through trade, infrastructure and education.
\n
When she stepped off the plane in mid-August, the heavy, humid air from the nearby coast engulfed her.
\n
"The university is huge, a bit like a large community," Wu said after her first walk around the campus. "There are kindergartens, primary, middle and high schools here, separate shopping centers for men and women and a medical center — even getting around requires the school bus, because walking would take too long."
\n
Her mother, who accompanied her for registration, felt reassured after seeing the double dormitory room of about 40 square meters that Wu will share with a roommate from Turkiye.
\n
"My city is very small, and hardly anyone around me goes abroad, so I had never thought about studying overseas for my undergraduate degree," Wu said. "I knew very little about it."
\n
Generous scholarships, promising job prospects in energy and technology, and a surge in economic links have made universities from Saudi Arabia to the UAE attractive for ambitious young Chinese like her.
\n
Wu previously attended Shuocheng No 1 High School in Shanxi. Exhausted by the demands of high school, she decided to forgo the gaokao college entrance exam and pursue a university education abroad.
\n
"I was feeling really tired from high school. And when I learned about the option to study in the Middle East, it felt like a fresh start," she recalled.
\n
She received offers from several institutions, including Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi and the University of Sharjah, but chose King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, ranked 67th globally in the QS World University Rankings 2026. Awarded a full scholarship covering tuition, flights, accommodation and living expenses, she became the first Chinese undergraduate admitted to the university.
\n
Wu enrolled in the newly established data science and engineering program and plans to work locally after graduation. "The full scholarship also eased some of the financial pressure on my parents," she said.
\n
Chinese influx
\n
While still a relatively niche choice, the Middle East is attracting more Chinese students each year.
\n
Since 2018, Zhou Xiao, CEO of Middle-East International Education, has helped hundreds of students plan and apply for full or high-value scholarships to universities across the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern countries.
\n
Zhou's agency has offices in Changsha, Hunan province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, and Guangzhou, Guangdong province, though most students historically came from Changsha. "But since last year, I've noticed more students coming from Jiangsu (province), Zhejiang, Shanghai and Guangdong who are interested in studying in the Middle East," he said.
\n
While more agencies were competing fiercely for universities in Europe and the United States, Zhou said he believes that the international education sector could serve ordinary families.
\n
"I wanted a path that combined studying abroad with employment," he said. "Also, amid changing international relations, our exchanges with the Middle East were increasing."
\n
The pandemic initially disrupted his Middle East programs, but demand surged by 2024.
\n
"Previously, some students chose the Middle East as a more affordable alternative to Europe and the US, or their parents were doing business in Dubai. But by 2024, more parents from international schools or first-tier cities began considering the return on investment of studying abroad," he said.
\n
"Many run their own businesses or are increasingly exposed to the UAE and Saudi Arabia, so the student group changed significantly," he added.
\n
Undergraduates are attracted by high-value scholarships, the region's economic environment, safety and living conditions, while employment opportunities and income are also major draws, he said.
\n
Zhou has visited numerous Middle Eastern universities, including local institutions and branch campuses of Western institutions.
\n
"Schools are very welcoming to Chinese students. Chinese is a required subject in many schools, and there is a strong demand for Chinese teachers. Schools also want student diversity. In specialized fields like AI, low-altitude aviation and new energy, there is an urgent demand for Chinese research talent," he said.
\n
Popular fields include logistics, business, AI and law, with top university choices including New York University Abu Dhabi, Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence in the UAE, the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Saudi Arabia and KFUPM. Some Western branch campuses actively recruit in China and have even hired Chinese admissions officers.
\n
"The growing demand is closely linked to China's Belt and Road Initiative," Zhou said.
\n
Besides student numbers, tourism and real estate are also expanding, and the number of Chinese faculty members is increasing. After seven years, only two students placed by Zhou's company have returned to work in China; the rest found local employment.
\n
Around 6,000 Chinese companies operate in the UAE, mostly concentrated in Dubai, according to Dubai Multi Commodities Centre data in 2024.
\n
"Employment conditions have improved. Companies are more standardized, (they) consider long-term development, and highly educated people have better prospects and higher starting salaries," Zhou said.
\n
Adapting, flexibility
\n
After the summer break, Luo Hao, 22, returned to the University of Sharjah in the UAE, where he studies international relations.
\n
Luo learned about studying in the Middle East through an international program at Changsha Railway No 1 High School, which prepares students with the IELTS English program, basic Arabic and general courses.
\n
"This program suits students who might not excel in the gaokao. My arts subjects were fine, but my science subjects were weak, so I chose this program," he said.
\n
In 2022, Luo enrolled at the university after receiving a 50 percent tuition scholarship.
\n
"At first, it was hard to manage everything alone — paying fees, registering for courses and getting an ID and a SIM card," he recalled. "The courses are all in English, so it was challenging, but I adapted."
\n
Luo praised the university's teaching style. "Courses encourage participation and expressing opinions, not just grades. Instructors come from all over the world and often share their experiences," he said.
\n
Adapting to the UAE's heat was another challenge.
\n
"I had never left my hometown before. Going abroad lets you truly experience the world," he said.
\n
Over time, he adjusted to the study and living conditions, and his parents became reassured by seeing him thrive.
\n
Luo mostly cooks for himself, with Chinese supermarkets nearby offering affordable food items. With one year left in his studies, he hopes to work locally for two years. "Graduates I know earn around 16,000 yuan ($2,250) per month in administrative jobs. The job market is decent," he said.
\n
He has noticed more Chinese students arriving each year. His major is niche, with only two to three Chinese students, while popular fields like business and engineering attract more students. "About 30 exchange students from China come every year," he said.
\n
Campus life is vibrant, with Chinese students sharing their culture through clubs and activities like calligraphy and riddle games. "Students here are very interested in Chinese culture, and our booths always draw crowds," Luo said.
\n
More choices
\n
Universities in the Middle East are increasingly opening their doors to Chinese students.
\n
In 2024, Dubai was home to 34,000 university students, with 33 percent from outside the UAE, according to the city's Knowledge and Human Development Authority. Among them were 741 Chinese students, with 29 percent of those pursuing undergraduate degrees and 71 percent studying for master's degrees.
\n
In 2017, Curtin University, an Australian tertiary institution with three campuses in Western Australia and five campuses globally, launched its Dubai campus, which is located in the Dubai International Academic City.
\n
Over the past 15 years, Professor Ammar Kaka, pro vice-chancellor and president of Curtin University Dubai, has witnessed significant growth in the number of international students.
\n
"We do have a small number of students from China who come to study with us, but the majority are professionals already working in the UAE," Kaka said.
\n
"China is definitely a market we are keen to grow further, especially given Curtin University's strong connections with Chinese students across our campuses in Australia, Singapore and Malaysia. We already have extensive partnerships with universities in China, including joint programs and pathways that allow students to earn dual degrees," he added.
\n
Kaka has visited China several times and delivered keynote speeches at events organized by the Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange. He said he believes China's growing economic ties with Gulf Cooperation Council countries, particularly the UAE, make the region an attractive destination for Chinese students.
\n
"We are also seeing growth in the Chinese expatriate community here. To give one example, Dubai even has a mall dedicated mainly to Chinese goods, highlighting the depth of cooperation and trade between the two countries," he said.
\n
For Chinese students studying in Dubai, Kaka sees multiple benefits.
\n
"They gain exposure not only to the culture, but also to the business landscape, and many take advantage of opportunities for internships during their studies," he said. "At the same time, they can immerse themselves in Arabic culture. So, if they return to China after graduation, they bring back knowledge and experience that is highly attractive to Chinese companies looking to expand into the Middle East."
\n
Employment opportunities
\n
At 23, Tang Jiaxin is already navigating professional life in the UAE, working in administration for a Chinese construction company in Sharjah. She recently completed her university studies in Dubai and is awaiting her graduation certificate later this year.
\n
Tang's journey to the Middle East began in 2020, when she enrolled at Heriot-Watt University Dubai. She initially chose business, but soon realized it wasn't her passion and switched to design.
\n
"Compared with China, there's much more self-directed learning here. You have to manage your studies and life yourself," she said. "The workload is heavy. Many courses don't have final exams; instead, we submit projects or design plans, do modeling and produce drawings. Sometimes it's quite stressful."
\n
Despite the challenges, Tang embraced student life in Dubai. She explored surrounding cities and attractions with friends and worked part-time to supplement her living expenses.
\n
"Sometimes we eat out, sometimes we order food deliveries. There are two Chinese-run food apps here with all Chinese cuisine — it's similar to home, just slightly more expensive and occasionally slower to deliver," she said.
\n
Tang has noticed a growing presence of Chinese in Dubai over the past two years, not only students but also businesspeople and tourists. Adjusting to cultural differences has been part of the experience.
\n
"Pork is hard to find here. Class schedules and practical coursework are often adjusted according to local holidays," she said.
\n
Some aspects of daily life have pleasantly surprised her. "The metro and buses have women-only carriages, which makes commuting during peak hours comfortable and less awkward," she said.
\n
Tang sees strong employment opportunities for graduates in the Middle East. Her English proficiency, combined with her Chinese language skills, has made it relatively easy to find work in local Chinese companies. "Knowing Arabic would make job hunting even easier," she added.
\n
For Tang, studying in Dubai has been more than just an academic journey — it's been a chance to experience a new culture, gain international work experience and prepare for a future that bridges China and the Middle East.
\n
liyingxue@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
@@ -12127,28 +11687,6 @@
"hash": "4cff044026874f67a2f4609a5c9eef75",
"highlights": []
},
- {
- "title": "011VIEWS - Japan won't succeed in its dirty ploy to disown its war crimes",
- "description": "
The author is a professor at the Institute of Japanese Studies, Nankai University.
\n
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) and the World Anti-Fascist War, an occasion that Japan should use to sincerely reflect on its history of aggression, acknowledge its war crimes, and take corrective measures to improve its relations with China.
\n
But instead of doing that, Japan, especially right-wing forces in Japan, has been trying to reshape the narrative of World War II by, among other things, rewriting its wartime history to project Japan as a victim of the war instead of a perpetrator. The right-wing forces aim to disown Japan's wartime past, including the atrocities it committed in neighboring countries including China.
\n
Rather than holding commemorations to reflect on Japan's heinous crimes before and during World War II, the right-wing forces are mourning the Japanese people who died or suffered during the war.
\n
A key element of Japan's narrative is to show that it was a victim of nuclear attacks. The bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki are used as powerful symbols to portray Japan as the "only nation to have suffered atomic bombings", which obscures its role as an initiator of the war.
\n
The G7 Summit held in Hiroshima in 2023 and the subsequent issuance of the "Hiroshima Vision" were products of Japan's efforts to reshape its identity — as a victim of World War II. Similarly, during an event to mark the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima on Aug 6, 2025, then Japanese prime minister Shigeru Ishiba emphasized Japan's unique status as the only victim of nuclear attack while avoiding any discussion on the reasons behind the bombings, thereby framing the event as a senseless tragedy.
\n
Japan has systematically expanded the definition of who qualifies as a victim. The definition, according to Japan, now includes civilians who died in the Battle of Okinawa, victims of the Tokyo air raids, postwar orphans, detained laborers, family members of deceased soldiers and even fallen soldiers.
\n
By asserting that all the Japanese people were victims of war, Japan's narrative sidesteps any acknowledgment of its military's atrocities on the people of neighboring countries. The designation of Aug 15 as "Japan's Day to Commemorate the War Dead and Pray for Peace" blurs the lines between perpetrator and victim.
\n
Through its state-funded and secular memorial sites such as the Chidorigafuchi National Cemetery, Japan conflates the commemoration of fallen soldiers, including those who invaded other countries and committed atrocities, with civilian victims, blending their memories into a narrative of public mourning.
\n
Japan's expansion of its victimhood narrative operates across three key dimensions: geographically, stretching beyond its mainland to former colonies by highlighting the suffering of overseas Japanese, such as prisoners of war detained in Siberia; temporally, extending into the postwar period to incorporate hardships like food shortages and social unrest under US occupation; and identity-wise, rebranding soldiers and colonizers as ordinary civilians, exemplified by the enshrinement of war criminals alongside other war dead at Yasukuni Shrine.
\n
The ultimate goal of Japan's narrative restructuring is to transfer its responsibility for launching the war from the state to abstract concepts like militarism, and then disperse it across the entire population. This is Japan's ploy to decriminalize its history of aggression.
\n
Another significant strategy of Japan's narrative involves playing the "Taiwan card". On Aug 6, Japan invited for the first time the Taiwan province to attend the atomic bombing anniversary ceremony in Hiroshima. While ostensibly framed as a humanitarian gesture, the move was in essence a calculated geopolitical strategy that exploited historical grievances to erode the political foundation of Sino-Japanese relations.
\n
Japan attributes the responsibility for its wartime past to "militarist cliques" in the country, asserting that ordinary Japanese people at the time and the subsequent generations bear no accountability. By merging worshipping at Yasukuni Shrine — where class-A war criminals are enshrined alongside the regular war dead — with official peace memorials, Japan hopes to build an atmosphere of undifferentiated collective mourning, thereby blurring its militarist past.
\n
Through anime, films and other media, popular Japanese cultural products frequently highlight civilian suffering during the war. While eliciting empathy, these narratives often strip away historical facts, diluting the accountability of those who launched the war.
\n
In addition, certain textbooks in Japan have reduced references to issues such as "comfort women" and the "Nanjing Massacre", replacing them with vague statements like "all countries suffered casualties during the war", further obscuring historical specifics.
\n
The implications of Japan's victimhood narrative will be profound. It will dilute the moral authority of countries that forged the anti-fascist front during World War II, including China, by trying to garner global sympathy.
\n
By promoting itself as a peace advocate through events held to promote nuclear disarmament and diplomatic outreach, Japan is trying to disown responsibility for its war crimes.
\n
But reconstructed history cannot whitewash Japan's colonial and war crimes. Instead, it will severely impede historical reconciliation across East Asia. As the world marks the 80th anniversary of the victory over fascism, Japan's distorted wartime narrative is hindering regional historical reconciliation.
\n
The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily.
\n",
- "content": "
The author is a professor at the Institute of Japanese Studies, Nankai University.
\n
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) and the World Anti-Fascist War, an occasion that Japan should use to sincerely reflect on its history of aggression, acknowledge its war crimes, and take corrective measures to improve its relations with China.
\n
But instead of doing that, Japan, especially right-wing forces in Japan, has been trying to reshape the narrative of World War II by, among other things, rewriting its wartime history to project Japan as a victim of the war instead of a perpetrator. The right-wing forces aim to disown Japan's wartime past, including the atrocities it committed in neighboring countries including China.
\n
Rather than holding commemorations to reflect on Japan's heinous crimes before and during World War II, the right-wing forces are mourning the Japanese people who died or suffered during the war.
\n
A key element of Japan's narrative is to show that it was a victim of nuclear attacks. The bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki are used as powerful symbols to portray Japan as the "only nation to have suffered atomic bombings", which obscures its role as an initiator of the war.
\n
The G7 Summit held in Hiroshima in 2023 and the subsequent issuance of the "Hiroshima Vision" were products of Japan's efforts to reshape its identity — as a victim of World War II. Similarly, during an event to mark the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima on Aug 6, 2025, then Japanese prime minister Shigeru Ishiba emphasized Japan's unique status as the only victim of nuclear attack while avoiding any discussion on the reasons behind the bombings, thereby framing the event as a senseless tragedy.
\n
Japan has systematically expanded the definition of who qualifies as a victim. The definition, according to Japan, now includes civilians who died in the Battle of Okinawa, victims of the Tokyo air raids, postwar orphans, detained laborers, family members of deceased soldiers and even fallen soldiers.
\n
By asserting that all the Japanese people were victims of war, Japan's narrative sidesteps any acknowledgment of its military's atrocities on the people of neighboring countries. The designation of Aug 15 as "Japan's Day to Commemorate the War Dead and Pray for Peace" blurs the lines between perpetrator and victim.
\n
Through its state-funded and secular memorial sites such as the Chidorigafuchi National Cemetery, Japan conflates the commemoration of fallen soldiers, including those who invaded other countries and committed atrocities, with civilian victims, blending their memories into a narrative of public mourning.
\n
Japan's expansion of its victimhood narrative operates across three key dimensions: geographically, stretching beyond its mainland to former colonies by highlighting the suffering of overseas Japanese, such as prisoners of war detained in Siberia; temporally, extending into the postwar period to incorporate hardships like food shortages and social unrest under US occupation; and identity-wise, rebranding soldiers and colonizers as ordinary civilians, exemplified by the enshrinement of war criminals alongside other war dead at Yasukuni Shrine.
\n
The ultimate goal of Japan's narrative restructuring is to transfer its responsibility for launching the war from the state to abstract concepts like militarism, and then disperse it across the entire population. This is Japan's ploy to decriminalize its history of aggression.
\n
Another significant strategy of Japan's narrative involves playing the "Taiwan card". On Aug 6, Japan invited for the first time the Taiwan province to attend the atomic bombing anniversary ceremony in Hiroshima. While ostensibly framed as a humanitarian gesture, the move was in essence a calculated geopolitical strategy that exploited historical grievances to erode the political foundation of Sino-Japanese relations.
\n
Japan attributes the responsibility for its wartime past to "militarist cliques" in the country, asserting that ordinary Japanese people at the time and the subsequent generations bear no accountability. By merging worshipping at Yasukuni Shrine — where class-A war criminals are enshrined alongside the regular war dead — with official peace memorials, Japan hopes to build an atmosphere of undifferentiated collective mourning, thereby blurring its militarist past.
\n
Through anime, films and other media, popular Japanese cultural products frequently highlight civilian suffering during the war. While eliciting empathy, these narratives often strip away historical facts, diluting the accountability of those who launched the war.
\n
In addition, certain textbooks in Japan have reduced references to issues such as "comfort women" and the "Nanjing Massacre", replacing them with vague statements like "all countries suffered casualties during the war", further obscuring historical specifics.
\n
The implications of Japan's victimhood narrative will be profound. It will dilute the moral authority of countries that forged the anti-fascist front during World War II, including China, by trying to garner global sympathy.
\n
By promoting itself as a peace advocate through events held to promote nuclear disarmament and diplomatic outreach, Japan is trying to disown responsibility for its war crimes.
\n
But reconstructed history cannot whitewash Japan's colonial and war crimes. Instead, it will severely impede historical reconciliation across East Asia. As the world marks the 80th anniversary of the victory over fascism, Japan's distorted wartime narrative is hindering regional historical reconciliation.
\n
The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily.
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