By Guo Wei|20:17 April 22, 2026|
Xinjiang was known as “Western Regions” in ancient age, meaning the western border of China. It was formally incorporated into the central government of China in 60 BC when the Western Han Dynasty established the Protectorate of the Western Regions. Due to its remote location on the northwestern border, successive Chinese dynasties employed various measures, including military force, to resist external invasion and infiltration, striving to maintain social stability in Xinjiang. Due to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)’s strategy of governing Xinjiang in the new era, Xinjiang today enjoys social stability, economic prosperity, a peaceful and happy life for its people, and opening to the world. The whole region across the Tianshan Mountains presents an atmosphere of stability and development.
I. Xinjiang in the new era enjoys the harmonious coexistence of all ethnic groups.
Since ancient times, Xinjiang has been home to various ethnic groups, where the Uyghur, Han, Kazakh, and Hui populations each exceeding one million. As the Uyghur proverb says, “Success happens in an amicable environment and strength builds from solidarity.” In Xinjiang, all ethnic groups live in harmony and unity, closely bound like seeds of a pomegranate. From 2010 to 2020, the minority population in Xinjiang increased from approximately 13 million to nearly 15 million, with the Uyghur population growing from 10 million to 11.62 million, accounting for 45% of Xinjiang’s total population, which was a significantly higher growth rate than the Han (which is China’s majority ethnic group) population. This population growth not only reflects the development of Xinjiang’s minority groups but also rebuts the so-called “genocide” lie.
Xinjiang had suffered greatly from terrorism and extremism, with people’s lives severely threatened. Faced with this situation, Xinjiang, while cracking down on violent terrorist activities according to laws, has vigorously promoted vocational education and training and strengthened de-radicalization efforts. In recent years, there have been no violent terrorist incidents in Xinjiang, and social order has been stable. There is no longer any fertile ground for instigating ethnic conflicts.
II. Xinjiang in the new era enjoys the thriving economy
President Xi Jinping emphasized that development is the key to solving all problems in Xinjiang. Xinjiang has implemented the new development philosophy, promoting economic restructuring and industrial optimization, leading to a vibrant economy. In 2025, Xinjiang’s GDP reached 2.15 trillion yuan (US$313 billion), roughly equivalent to the economic size of countries like Iraq and Portugal. Fixed asset investment grew by 7.2%, ranking 2nd among China’s provinces or regions.
Xinjiang is the world’s cotton granary. China’s cotton production accounts for nearly a quarter of global output, with Xinjiang cotton accounting for over 90 per cent. Many clothing brands indicate the use of Xinjiang cotton on their fabric labels, using it as a symbol of high-quality products. Xinjiang not only has suitable climate conditions for cotton growth but also large-scale, intensive production models and advanced equipment. Today, smart agriculture technology permeates the entire cotton production process in Xinjiang, with remote sensing satellite monitoring cotton growth, drones spraying pesticides, and cotton harvesters equipped with the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System efficiently harvesting cotton, achieving a mechanization rate of over 97%.
Xinjiang is also China’s “Western Barn.” In 2025, Xinjiang’s grain yield per mu reached 552.8 kg, maintaining its leading position in the country.
III. Xinjiang in the new era enjoys a peaceful and happy life for the people
President Xi Jinping pointed out that the original aspiration and mission of the CCP is to seek happiness for the Chinese people, including people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang, and to strive for the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, including all ethnic groups in Xinjiang. Xinjiang adheres to a people-centered approach, focusing its policies on improving people’s livelihoods and increasing their income. To address issues such as elderly care, education, employment, healthcare, and housing, Xinjiang allocates over 75 per cent of its annual fiscal expenditure to guaranteeing and improving people’s well-being.
In 2020, over 3 million people in Xinjiang were lifted out of poverty. In 2025, the per capita disposable income of Xinjiang residents reached nearly 33,000 yuan (US$4,853). Today, every village in Xinjiang has paved roads, every household has comfortable housing, employment opportunities are available near homes, and medical care is guaranteed, leading to a continuous improvement in people’s sense of happiness.
Xinjiang has made every effort to promote employment, increasing the number of employed people from 12.46 million in 2012 to 14.4 million in 2025, a growth of 15.6 per cent, while maximising the guarantee of voluntary employment and decent work for all ethnic groups. A few countries have used fallacies such as “forced labor” to sanction companies and individuals involved in Xinjiang, which is actually a pretext for political manipulation and economic bullying under the guise of “human rights.” Facts speak louder than words, and the achievements of Xinjiang’s economic and social development cannot be denied.
IV. Xinjiang in the new era enjoys the benefits of opening up to the world
Xinjiang has shed its label as a “remote region” and grown into a hub of the Eurasian continent and a bridgehead for China’s westward opening-up. Xinjiang currently has 19 open ports, with its two major railway ports handling more than half of the country’s China-Europe (Asia) freight train services. It also has 28 civilian airports, connecting to 21 foreign cities and 79 Chinese cities.
Xinjiang is expanding its network of economic and trade cooperation. In 2025, Xinjiang established trade relations with 211 countries and regions worldwide, with total import and export volume exceeding 500 billion yuan (US$73.5 billion). In recent years, Xinjiang has introduced new measures to attract foreign investment. In 2025, the actual use of foreign capital reached US$395 million, a year-on-year increase of 9.77 per cent, demonstrating the international community’s confidence in Xinjiang’s development.
Beautiful Xinjiang welcomes tourists from home and abroad. In 2025, Xinjiang received 323 million tourists. What is a real Xinjiang? The 26 million people of Xinjiang, over 300 million tourists, and journalists, diplomats, and friends from all walks of life who have personally visited Xinjiang from more than 100 countries and international organizations are the best judges of its quality.
Seeing is believing. Xinjiang’s doors are open to friends from Jordan and around the world. We sincerely welcome everyone to come to Xinjiang to admire its magnificent scenery, taste its unique cuisine, and personally experience the stability, freedom, and prosperity of Xinjiang!
Guo Wei — Chinese Ambassador to Jordan
source https://jordantimes.com/opinion/guo-wei/xinjiang-in-the-new-era-has-a-magnificent-atmosphere