Over the past 70 years, Xinjiang has grown into a vital trade hub connecting China with the world. Yet behind the statistics and skylines, it is the voices of ordinary people that truly tell the story.

During the grand gathering celebrating the 70th founding anniversary of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, CGTN's Li Jingjing spoke with representatives from different ethnic groups about the transformations in their hometowns.

Through the eyes of locals, the contrast between past and present is striking. Their stories offer a genuine picture of Xinjiang: a land that is thriving, evolving and filled with hope.