As a mother of two, Minawar Memet enjoys health benefits such as free medical check-ups and vaccinations. However, these policies were unimaginable when her mother Atihan Yakup gave birth. Atihan said back then, women rarely held jobs and were limited to housework and taking care of the children.

This is one of many stories in CGTN's exclusive documentary "Beyond the Mountains: Life in Xinjiang." Watch the full documentary here.