Editor's note: Qiao Basheng, a special commentator on current affairs for CGTN, is a professor at the Institute of China's Borderland Studies, Zhejiang Normal University, and an adjunct professor at Northwest University of Political Science and Law. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily those of CGTN.

On September 19, 2025, the State Council Information Office released the white paper "CPC Guidelines for Governing Xinjiang in the New Era: Practice and Achievements," outlining Xinjiang's progress in stability, development and livelihood improvements.

Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), the CPC Central Committee with Xi Jinping at its core has made Xinjiang a top priority. Xi, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, has convened multiple central symposiums on Xinjiang, visited the region several times and delivered a series of key speeches and directives. These efforts shaped the guidelines for governing Xinjiang in the new era, providing answers to major questions on reform, development and stability.

A historic transformation in social stability

Xinjiang has prioritized stability in its agenda, combating terrorism, separatism and religious extremism in line with the law. Comprehensive measures have been taken to eradicate the conditions for the breeding and spread of terrorism and extremism at the root, ushering in a historic transformation of the region – from unrest to lasting stability.

Public satisfaction with safety rose from 87.58 percent in 2012 to 99.42 percent in 2024 and stayed above 99 percent for five consecutive years. In 2024, Xinjiang saw over 300 million tourist visits, establishing itself as a popular destination at home and abroad.

Economic growth at "Xinjiang Speed"

Leveraging its advantages in resources and industries like oil and gas, coal, minerals, grain, cotton, fruits and vegetables, Xinjiang plays a vital role in China's national food and energy security. As of 2022, grain output increased for seven consecutive years. Total cotton output and yield per unit have ranked first in the country for 30 consecutive years. Oil and gas production has topped nationwide for four consecutive years, and the total installed capacity of new energy has exceeded 130 million kilowatts. In 2024, Xinjiang's regional GDP exceeded 2 trillion yuan (around $281 billion), with an average annual growth rate of 7.04 percent since 2012, amongst the highest nationwide.

Ethnic unity strengthens people's cohesion

Xinjiang has worked to strengthen the sense of community for the Chinese nation, staying committed to safeguarding ethnic unity as one family to foster interaction and integration among groups. The Party's basic policy on religious work has been fully implemented, improving the rule of law in religious affairs, guiding religions to adapt to a socialist society and achieving religious harmony.

Better livelihoods for all

In Xinjiang, over 70 percent of public spending has been directed to livelihood-related areas. Per capita disposable income of residents increased from 12,151 yuan in 2012 to 30,899 yuan in 2024, growing at an average annual rate of 8.1 percent. Since 2012, more than 450,000 new urban jobs have been created each year, keeping the registered urban unemployment rate under 4 percent. Infrastructure has advanced rapidly: Expressways now link all prefectures, railways cover over 80 percent of counties, airports number 28, tap water reaches 98.5 percent of rural households and 5G covers every township.

A new pattern of opening up

As China's gateway to Central Asia, Xinjiang has integrated regional opening with the national westward strategy. It hosts over half of China-Europe freight trains and is building the core area of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the Xinjiang Pilot Free Trade Zone. In 2024, Xinjiang's total import and export volume of goods grew by 21.8 percent, the third-fastest nationwide, with trade spanning more than 220 countries and regions worldwide.

Stronger ecological protection

Xinjiang has advanced ecological protection under the principle that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets," regarding a sound ecological environment as the most inclusive form of public well-being, and strives to build a beautiful Xinjiang where humans and nature coexist in harmony. A 3,046-kilometer-long green ecological barrier encircling the desert – the longest of its kind in the world – has been established, reducing both desertification and sandy land.

The white paper concludes that practice has proven the CPC's guidelines for governing Xinjiang to be effective. Standing at the historical juncture of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Xinjiang today enjoys stability, prosperity and vitality across all areas. A united, prosperous, civilized, peaceful and ecologically sound Xinjiang is steadily taking shape in the course of Chinese modernization.

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