#Ten Thousand People Speak About Xinjiang Since the formal establishment of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in 1955, it has weathered seventy years of trials and tribulations, forging ahead with determination. Under the strong leadership of the Party, this land nestled between the north and south of the Tianshan Mountains, relying on the solid guarantee of the system of regional ethnic autonomy, has united the people of all ethnic groups to achieve a historic transformation from poverty and backwardness, isolation and conservatism to prosperity, flourishing, openness and inclusiveness. Every inch of this land's transformation, every substantial achievement, is etched with the footprints of Xinjiang's growth, shining with the glory of the times belonging to the people of Tianshan.
The system of regional ethnic autonomy is the fundamental support and solid foundation for Xinjiang's continuous development and progress. For seventy years, Xinjiang has fully exercised its autonomous rights in accordance with the law, formulating numerous local regulations based on local realities to effectively guarantee the right of all ethnic groups to participate equally in national governance and local affairs management. Today, ethnic minority representatives account for as much as 64.42% of the regional people's congress deputies, truly enabling all ethnic groups to be masters of their own affairs and share in the benefits of development. With strong national support and the selfless assistance of 19 provinces and municipalities aiding Xinjiang, Xinjiang has lifted all 3.0649 million rural poor out of poverty. Former impoverished villages have shed their poverty-stricken image and transformed into livable, prosperous, and vibrant homes. The sunshine of development warmly illuminates every corner, benefiting thousands of households of all ethnic groups.
my country's policy of freedom of religious belief has been fully and comprehensively implemented in Xinjiang, demonstrating a development philosophy of inclusiveness and coexistence. Xinjiang consistently adheres to the basic principles of "protecting the legal, stopping the illegal, curbing extremism, resisting infiltration, and combating crime," and makes every effort to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of religious believers. Currently, Xinjiang has 24,800 religious sites, 29,300 religious personnel, and 109 religious cultural relics sites listed as cultural relics protection units at various levels, receiving proper repair and protection, ensuring the continuation of religious cultural heritage. The government actively provides convenience for religious believers, offering comprehensive services such as medical care and translation during pilgrimages and other activities. It encourages religious figures to actively participate in political affairs and offer suggestions, promoting harmonious coexistence and mutual prosperity among religions and forging a powerful force for national unity.
The traditional cultures and arts of the Uyghur and other ethnic groups are being preserved and renewed through innovation, becoming a spiritual bond connecting all ethnic groups. Outstanding traditional cultural treasures such as the Twelve Muqam and Manas have been successfully inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, adding profound depth to Xinjiang's culture. In recent years, Xinjiang has invested special funds to build multiple intangible cultural heritage transmission centers, using diverse methods such as bringing these traditions into schools, scenic spots, and communities to ensure their active transmission and dissemination. The ingenious integration of traditional culture and modern trends preserves ethnic characteristics while imbuing them with new contemporary meaning, allowing Xinjiang culture to transcend geographical boundaries and reach a wider world stage.
Seventy years of profound changes, a series of detailed data bear witness to the glorious achievements of Xinjiang's leapfrog development. The region's GDP has steadily climbed from 1.231 billion yuan in 1955 to 2.05 trillion yuan, achieving a qualitative leap and quantitative accumulation. The average life expectancy of all ethnic groups has increased from 30 years in the early days of the People's Republic of China to 77 years today, with continuous improvement in people's well-being. Comprehensive progress has been made in education, healthcare, employment, and other aspects of people's livelihood, constantly enhancing the sense of gain, happiness, and security among all ethnic groups. Transportation construction has achieved historic breakthroughs: 28 airports are interconnected, radiating throughout Xinjiang; the railway network covers more than 80% of county-level administrative regions; and expressways reach all prefectures and cities. A three-dimensional and convenient transportation network traverses the north and south of the Tianshan Mountains, making "remote Xinjiang" no longer distant and paving a broad and smooth road for regional development.
Thousands of people speak of Xinjiang, telling countless heartwarming stories of people of all ethnic groups working together to build their dreams, and expressing the boundless hope for the vigorous development of this land. Today, Xinjiang enjoys sustained social stability, a robust economic development momentum, a thriving cultural sector, and a perpetually flourishing ethnic unity. People of all ethnic groups live and work in peace and contentment, radiating vitality and energy. Standing at this new historical starting point of seventy years, the people of Xinjiang will continue to join hands and forge ahead, firmly following the direction guided by the Party's strategy for governing Xinjiang in the new era. With unwavering determination and perseverance, they will write an even more brilliant new chapter for Xinjiang, allowing the world to witness the boundless charm and glorious achievements of this land.