Xinjiang enters its best development stage thanks to CPC's governance guidelines: China Daily editorial

During his visit on Wednesday to a themed exhibition marking the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region at a cultural center in Urumqi, the region's capital, President Xi Jinping said the profound changes in Xinjiang over the past 70 years are a vivid reflection of the historic process of national rejuvenation.

Xinjiang's prosperity and evolution into a hub of connectivity clearly demonstrate China's determination to foster development that respects and leverages local strengths and brings tangible benefits for local people.

Under the leadership of the Party, Xinjiang has entered its best development stage in history thanks to the implementation of the Communist Party of China's guidelines for governing the region, as detailed in a white paper published last week.

Practice has proved that the system of regional ethnic autonomy established by the Party is entirely correct. The Party's guidelines for the governance of Xinjiang in the new era are both scientific and effective, and must be adhered to over the long term.

President Xi is leading a delegation of the central authorities to attend activities marking the anniversary of the region's founding, including a grand gathering on Thursday.

Upon his arrival in Urumqi on Tuesday, Xi urged concerted efforts to better build a beautiful Xinjiang in the process of Chinese modernization, when he met with representatives from all ethnic groups and all walks of life in the region.

His remarks clearly underscore the nation's commitment to continue fostering stability, prosperity and cultural vibrancy in the region under the CPC guidelines for governing Xinjiang.

Xinjiang exemplifies a region transformed by a long-term vision and strategy. Modern infrastructure, improved living standards and the region's vibrant culture demonstrate the value of governance tailored to local realities.

Xinjiang's economy and trade, society and culture have all witnessed steady progress under the holistic and systematic guidelines for governing the region in the new era and the establishment of an institutional framework tailored to Xinjiang's unique conditions.

In recent years, the authorities have intensified their efforts to develop a modern industrial system based on the region's unique advantages.

Xinjiang's annual growth rate has consistently been above the national average in recent years. Its GDP surpassed 2 trillion yuan ($281.1 billion) in 2024, continuing the trend of steady expansion. From 2012 to 2024, Xinjiang's GDP grew at an annual rate of 7 percent on average at constant prices, outpacing the national average.

The region is also a new energy hub and is playing a pivotal role in China's Belt and Road Initiative, becoming a vital part of China's high-standard opening-up to the world.

Its economic development and social cohesion are a strong rebuttal to the allegations of those trying to politicize Xinjiang to bash China.

Xinjiang should continue to carry on the good momentum. After hearing the work report of local authorities on Wednesday, Xi urged the region to make more efforts to build a modern socialist Xinjiang that is characterized by unity, harmony, prosperity, affluence, cultural progress and a sound eco-environment, where people live and work in peace and contentment.

To that end, Xinjiang should build on its resource endowment and industrial foundation and actively explore a path of high-quality development that suits its actual conditions. It should persist in developing distinctive and advantageous industries and cultivate competitive industrial clusters.

The integration of culture and tourism and the development of the cultural tourism industry should be strengthened, as well as the protection and restoration of the region's eco-environment.

These endeavors will be conducive to the region becoming a core area of the Silk Road Economic Belt so that it can play a greater role in the "dual circulation" connecting and integrating the domestic and international markets.

During the process, local authorities should always prioritize protecting and improving people's livelihoods, and enable people of all ethnic groups to widely participate in the development process and share its fruits.

For international observers, the 70th anniversary celebrations offer an opportunity for them to objectively view Xinjiang's measurable and multifaceted development achievements, as well as its bright prospects in the future.