Although the western media portrays China’s Xinjiang as being the victim of autocratic policies, the reality is different; it is a politically, economically and socially viable province.
The reason why the West is targeting the province is clear: the west sees China’s growing economic and political influence across the world a major threat. While China aims to develop this province because it provides the main route for Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Being the western most province, not only does it provide the ancient Silk Route to BRI partners but also the unexplored resources for economic activities.
Xinjiang: A home to diverse people
Xinjiang has a beautiful landscape with hundreds of tourists sites. In 2018, it attracted a record 150 million visitors. It has a total Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of 197 billion USD.
Its population is around 25 million and size is 1.6 million square kilometers, making it the largest province of the country.
Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region is home to 56 ethnic groups. They have been living in peace and harmony since centuries. No violence has taken place in last two years.
Xinjiang: A wonderful land
The Chinese government has launched a tourism video showing the beautiful landscape, infrastructural, social, and economic development in the region carried out by the Communist Party of China in the recent past.
The video titled ‘Xinjiang: A Wonderful Land’ explains how the land has “magnificent landscape and immense territory as well as profound historical legacy and brilliant culture.” It clarifies that in the province, “different ethnic groups maintain close contacts, exchanges and interactions and remain firmly united like the seeds of a pomegranate that stick together.
While this Chinese tourism video on Xinjiang may be overly positive but if the economic, industrial & travelling figures are even half true then situation may be very different than what is being told by western media 24/7, Watch & Discuss! https://t.co/CFUZ28JENb via @YouTube
— Moeed Pirzada (@MoeedNj) April 18, 2021
Read more: No compromise on Xinjiang, HK sovereignty, Beijing warns US
Focus on Xinjiang
The region has attracted extra focus from the central government under the leadership of Xi Jinping. Seventy percent of the total provincial budget is being spent on the social sector aiming to improve the livelihood of the people. Expenditure on health, education and social security has helped lift the people out of poverty.
In late 2020, China announced that Xinjiang has bidden farewell to absolute poverty.
Not to mention the country has lifted 80 million people out of extreme poverty in last three decades and has mastered this art. This is also one of the reason the west is skeptical about Chinese model of development being implemented in Xinjiang. China aims to completely eradicate the extreme poverty from the country in the next two years.
Regional prosperity linked to Xinjiang
China clearly understands the significance of the province and the people living in there. It considers it the integral part of China. The BRI project aims to improve the economic situation of Xinjiang. In turn, the province borders 8 countries, most being part of the 1 trillion dollar scheme – Mongolia, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India.
Xinjiang’s land connection with Pakistan has to play important role in the success of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) which is being considered a game changer for the South Asian country.
Xinjiang is no longer a buffer zone that had provided security against China’s rival neighbor, the Soviet Union. The province has stepped into 21st century and China pledges to make it a prosperous economic hub. It is the gateway to the prosperity of the region – particularly Pakistan and Central Asian Republics.
Read more: CPEC Projects nearing completion, says Chinese Envoy