Shou Xiaoli:

Thank you, Mr. Wang, for the introduction. Now, I'll give the floor to Mr. Erkin Tuniyaz for his introduction.

Erkin Tuniyaz:

Ladies and gentlemen, friends from the media, good afternoon. This year marks the 70th anniversary of the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. At this historic moment, we are pleased to witness together with you the release of the white paper "CPC Guidelines for Governing Xinjiang in the New Era: Practice and Achievements." First, on behalf of the CPC Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Regional Committee and the Xinjiang regional government, I extend a warm welcome to our friends from the media. Through you, I would like to express heartfelt gratitude to all sectors of society that have long cared for and supported Xinjiang's development.

You have long followed Xinjiang's development closely and are familiar with the profound economic and social changes over the past 70 years. We deeply feel that these remarkable transformations — what could be called "a miracle that changed the future through the people's undaunted spirit" — have all been made possible by the wise leadership of the CPC Central Committee. In particular, since the 18th CPC National Congress, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has attached great importance to Xinjiang. General Secretary Xi Jinping has provided strategic direction and guidance, personally steering the course of its development. The CPC Central Committee convened two meetings on work related to Xinjiang. Xi has traveled multiple times to Xinjiang on inspection tours and delivered a series of important speeches and instructions, which together have established the Party's guidelines for governing Xinjiang in the new era. In providing leadership for work related to Xinjiang, it has upheld fundamental principles while breaking new ground, successfully driving progress despite complex circumstances, challenges, and risks. It is precisely under the guidance of the scientific guidelines that all undertakings in Xinjiang have undergone historic transformations and achieved historic progress, entering a period of the fastest development, greatest transformation, and most tangible benefits for people of all ethnic groups. The six-episode political documentary "Songs of Tianshan," which began airing on CCTV yesterday, vividly showcases the profound changes that have taken place in Xinjiang over the past 70 years.

We have governed Xinjiang in accordance with the law, which has ensured lasting social stability. Xinjiang has actively promoted the rule of law within government and throughout society. We have effectively protected people's legitimate rights and interests, upheld fairness and justice, and improved the business environment. We have employed law-based thinking and approaches and strengthened law-based and persistent efforts in combating terrorism and maintaining stability. As a result, the overall social situation has remained stable, grassroots governance capacity has been significantly enhanced, and public satisfaction with security has continued to rise. Today, Xinjiang is stable, harmonious, and full of vitality. In 2024 alone, Xinjiang received over 300 million tourist visits, with many praising Xinjiang as a safe, peaceful, and welcoming destination.

We have maintained stability through ethnic unity, making the cultivation of a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation the guiding principle of all our work. We comprehensively implement the Party's ethnic policies, uphold and improve the system of regional ethnic autonomy, and protect the legitimate rights and interests of people of all ethnic groups in accordance with the law. We comprehensively promote interaction, communication, and integration among all ethnic groups. Neighbors live side by side, celebrate together, and share in one another's traditions, whether it be eating sanzi (fried dough twists) at one home or mooncakes at another. We comprehensively promote and popularize the national common language and script. Standard spoken and written Chinese is promoted across the region. As a result, the public has developed a stronger awareness of using standard Chinese, which has united hearts and minds for a shared future. We fully implement the Party's basic policy on religious affairs, provide active guidance to religions so that they can adapt to socialist society, ensuring harmony and healthy inheritance. You may have noticed from short video interviews that children in Xinjiang proudly say, "I am Chinese." In August this year, 130 young people from Hotan prefecture attended the national flag-raising ceremony at Tian'anmen Square in Beijing. Many were moved to tears as they declared their love for the motherland. These are vivid examples of ethnic unity in Xinjiang, touching millions online.

We have strengthened cultural identity and bonds, working together to build a spiritual home shared by all Chinese people. Guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, we draw on historical facts, archaeological finds, and cultural legacies of exchanges among ethnic groups in Xinjiang to highlight the deep roots of Chinese culture. Efforts have been made to inspire people of all ethnic groups to identify more closely with the motherland, the Chinese nation, the Chinese culture, the CPC, and socialism with Chinese characteristics. Continuous investment in infrastructure has built a five-tiered public cultural service network covering regions, prefectures, counties, townships and villages. The TV series "To the Wonder" has been loved by audiences at home and abroad, and the eight-minute brilliant performance at the Kashi sub-venue of CCTV's 2024 Spring Festival Gala captivated viewers around the world. Both showcase the vitality and flourishing of cultures of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang.

We have brought greater prosperity to Xinjiang and its people, ensuring that the benefits of development improve people's well-being and earn their support. We base our work on what the nation needs, what Xinjiang can contribute, and what the people expect. We have fully leveraged advantages in resources, geographic location, and other areas to drive rapid and high-quality growth. Since 2012, Xinjiang's GDP has grown at an average annual rate of 7.04%, surpassing the 2 trillion yuan milestone in 2024. This provides strong fiscal support for livelihood improvements. For example, in terms of infrastructure construction, Xinjiang now has 230,000 kilometers of highways, with all prefectures connected by expressways; 9,202 kilometers of railways reaching every prefecture; and 28 civil airports. Nearly 12,000 kilometers of 750-kilovolt power grids have been built, along with gigabit broadband in every county, 5G in every township, and internet access in every village, greatly facilitating people's work and daily life. In terms of ensuring people's livelihoods, total employment reached 13.91 million in 2024, up 11.6% from 2012. For the first time, every part of southern Xinjiang now has an undergraduate institution. The region has over 19,000 medical facilities. Per capita disposable income has reached 43,000 yuan in urban areas and 19,000 yuan in rural areas, making people's lives better day by day.

We have taken a long-term perspective on developing Xinjiang, strengthening the foundations for lasting peace and stability. We have upheld and strengthened the Party's overall leadership and fostered highly competent officials based on the criteria for assessing the caliber of officials in the new era. We regard strengthening grassroots work and laying solid foundations as fundamental measures for ensuring stability and security in Xinjiang. We strengthen grassroots Party organizations to maintain stability. Since 2014, we have continuously sent government officials to live and work in villages alongside local officials and residents. Together, they have developed strategies for economic growth and income generation, achieving tangible results that have been warmly welcomed by the people and reinforced the Party's governance foundation and cohesion in Xinjiang.

The achievements in all of Xinjiang's endeavors in the new era are fundamentally attributed to the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core and to the scientific guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. They are also inseparable from the dedicated support of the central Party and government departments, state-owned enterprises directly administered by the central government, and designated provinces and municipalities. As we mark the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the autonomous region, we will take this as a new starting point. We will unite the people of all ethnic groups more closely around the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core and fully and faithfully implement the Party's guidelines for governing Xinjiang in the new era, adding Xinjiang's chapters to the annals of Chinese modernization with unparalleled confidence.

That concludes my introduction.

Shou Xiaoli:

Thank you, Mr. Erkin Tuniyaz. Now the floor is open to questions. Please identify your news outlet before asking questions.