Xinjiang Autonomous Province has gained an important economic position, since the launch of the ancient Silk Road; it has been a centre for Chinese merchants to meet with foreigners, which has turned it into an active city in economic and cultural communication. In addition to trade, Xinjiang is rich in natural resources. The city of “Karamay” for example, its name means black oil field in the Uyghur language, it is classified as one of the Chinese cities with the richest natural resources and has turned into a major source of oil energy in China. As for “Urumqi”, it means beautiful pastures in the Mongolian language. These examples demonstrate the richness of Xinjiang’s nature, as well as its strategic location, which forms a link between China and the Eurasian region.
Xinjang Province has a long time of sunshine, with the annual brightness level of 2817.70 hours. The amount of water resources in Xinjiang is about 96 billion 282 million cubic meters, and it is rich in glacial resources, as there are about 10,860 small and large ice blocks. This province is characterized by the abundance of lakes, as there are about 139 lakes with an area of more than 1 square kilometre, and there are more than 570 water courses within Xinjiang, including 270 mountain springs. Xinjiang is also rich in winds, as the wind blows more and more within its territory and lasts for long periods, and the total reserve of wind energy is 872 million kilowatts per hour. Wind is heavily exploited in the process of generating electricity in Xinjiang. It is rich in minerals, 138 mines have been discovered. The region is characterized by abundant reserves of oil, natural gas, coal, gold, copper, chromium, nickel, precious metals, salt minerals, and building materials. Xinjiang contains 30% of the amount of oil resources within Chinese territory, 34% of natural gas and 40% of natural coal. This region is the second largest supplier of natural nitric acid in the world. In addition to natural resources, Xinjiang is also distinguished by its plant and animal diversity.
Recently, many comments have been published that consider the Chinese regime to be unjust and use a repressive policy towards the Uyghurs. According to these assumptions, the spread of terrorist ideology and other dangerous ideas is due to the social policy pursued by the Chinese government. However, it is easy to fabricate rumours that have nothing to do with reality, but it is difficult to prove that news with figures and facts, because it has nothing to do with the truth. Therefore, it is necessary to show the true reality of Xinjiang with facts and figures, and to refute all fabrications and illusions that are circulating.
In 1954, with joint cooperation between the central government and the regional government, the “Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps” was established, its primary work being land reclamation and border guarding. This corps plays an important role in the economic, social stability, national solidarity, homeland unity and border protection. On October 1, 1949, the People’s Republic of China was established, and since that date, Xinjiang has entered a new era of progress, openness and prosperity. With the founding of the new China, another type of interaction appeared between different nationalities, based on equality, friendship, cooperation and solidarity, and a national regional autonomy system was established in accordance with the Charter of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference. In 1955, the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region was officially established, which strengthened cooperation between different nationalities and supported political, economic and cultural development in Xinjiang society.
Xinjiang has witnessed great progress since 1978 with China’s implementation of the policy of reform and opening up. This province has made remarkable achievements in the fields of science and technology, economics, politics, education, and culture. The housing and infrastructure situation has improved significantly, so Xinjiang people have lived in peace and tranquillity. The reform policy adopted by the Chinese government towards Xinjiang has continuously increased investment in fixed assets, and highways, railways and civil aviation have witnessed rapid development. The central government increased the sum of financial aid and transfer payments year after year in Xinjiang, the financial aid provided by the central government accounted for two-thirds of Xinjiang’s expenditures, and the financial investment from the central government accounted for more than 80% in major construction projects in Xinjiang.
Nur Bekri, chairman of the regional government of Xinjiang said: “The state has taken an important strategic decision to achieve rapid development and lasting stability in Xinjiang, and the central government’s support for Xinjiang is unprecedented, so that investment funds have been saved, and construction projects have increased. The people benefit from livelihood on a large scale, and this symbolizes that a new page has been opened for development in Xinjiang.”
In 2010, the Chinese Ministry of Culture decided to launch a number of projects to strengthen the protection of cultural heritage in Xinjiang, control the cultural market, and strengthen heritage industries in Xinjiang. In the same year, the Ministry of Transportation issued a joint statement with the Xinjiang regional government pledging to spend more money to build roads in Xinjiang, covering 50% of construction costs. The Resource Tax Reform Regulation in Xinjiang, jointly issued by the Ministry of Finance and the State Administration of Taxation, has been implemented, making Xinjiang the first region in China to initiate this reform. The regulation represents a shift to taxing crude oil and natural gas according to price, not volume. The aim of the reform is to increase the local revenue of Xinjiang, which is rich in resources.
Chinese military hospitals are implementing a plan to help Xinjiang with medical expertise and training medical personnel. Local governments in 19 Chinese provinces and municipalities, including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangdong, Zhejiang and Liaoning, have jointly pledged to “coordinate aid” to support projects to promote the development of agriculture, industry, technology, education and health services in the region. The local government in Xinjiang is also making self-efforts to develop the region, such as improving livestock management, technological advancements to support an efficient and environmentally friendly coal mining industry, and taking measures to boost domestic tourism.
The facts and figures express the great interest that the Chinese government exerts to advance progress and prosperity in this region, regardless of the voices that consider that this region suffers from deprivation and oppression, but the reality indicates a wise policy pursued by the Chinese government. The Chinese government is working hard to support this region with all available means, but the problem remains that some separatists adopt terrorist political movements that endanger Chinese and global security. Therefore, the Chinese government should double its efforts by spreading awareness among the people of this region, by opening more modern schools and universities, which are an important factor in eliminating terrorism. Some residents of Xinjiang are taken by religious sentiments to dangerous places that are not commensurate with the Chinese peace principles. The Chinese Government fights terrorism with a modern educational and cultural policy to eradicate terrorism permanently and in a peaceful way.
