Textile industry weaving way out of poverty in Xinjiang

Xinjiang, which has taken the lead in textile industrial development in the mainland, now has registered a total of 3,141 textile companies, employing more than 600,000 local residents.

And major domestic textile companies have set up their companies and production facilities in Xinjiang.

A local couple, Raihangul Kamil and Mahmut Alat, used to earn about 20,000 yuan ($2,892) a year by farming in their 8 mu (0.53 hectare) farmland to financially support their six-member family.

However, they could now reach an annual income of around 60,000 yuan ($8,676) since they started working at a textile company last year.

Kamil, who has become a skilled quality inspection technician in a local textile company, is expecting to leave behind poverty.

"I would buy a car first when I earn enough money, and then purchase an apartment in the town," she said.