Guangming Daily:

Stability is the foundation of development. How will Xinjiang maintain lasting social stability? Thank you.

Erkin Tuniyaz:

Thanks for your question. I will answer it.

Today's Xinjiang is characterized by lasting social stability, steady and high-quality economic growth, and continuously enhanced public welfare. It is a region of ethnic unity and progress, as well as religious harmony where people enjoy peace and contentment in life and work. People's sense of gain, happiness and security is unprecedented. The 26 million people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang deeply understand that this situation has not come easily. These are the results we have achieved by fully, accurately, and faithfully implementing the Party's guidelines for governing Xinjiang in the new era, especially by upholding the overall goal of social stability and lasting peace and security in the region in advancing all our work.

First, we have always adhered to governing Xinjiang in accordance with the law, continuously strengthening the legal foundation for long-term stability and security. Xinjiang's stability is built under the rule of law. We have implemented the requirements of comprehensive law-based governance in all undertakings, using the "needle" of the rule of law to accurately guide the "thousand threads" of reform, development and stability, effectively ensuring social stability and harmony. We have highlighted the role of the rule of law in maintaining social stability, and safeguarding ethnic unity and religious harmony, and resolutely advance the enforcement of regular counterterrorism measures to ensure stability in accordance with the law. We have accelerated the building of a law-based government. By the end of 2024, the People's Congress of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and its Standing Committee had approved 874 local regulations, resolutions and decisions with regulatory functions or on major issues, and special ordinances. Among them, currently in effect are 175 local regulations and 56 resolutions and decisions with regulatory functions or on major issues. Local legislation provides guarantees for people of all ethnic groups to handle affairs in accordance with the law, seek law-based solutions in case of trouble, and solve problems and settle disputes in accordance with the law, thereby improving overall social governance through sound laws and good governance. Since 2022, Xinjiang has taken the lead nationwide in holding dedicated meetings at the autonomous region level to hear reports on advancing the rule of law. For four consecutive years, leading Party and government officials at the county level and above have delivered a report on their performance in fulfilling the primary responsibility for advancing the rule of law every year. We have also carried out regular legal education and publicity activities, delivering legal knowledge to thousands of households to help people of all ethnic groups raise awareness of the rule of law in their daily lives.

Second, we have always adhered to promoting stability through development, continuously strengthening the material foundation for long-term stability and security. We have fully and faithfully applied the new development philosophy, and strive to serve and contribute to the new development pattern in line with Xinjiang's strategic positioning in the country. We have coordinated development and security, openness and security, and accelerated the transformation of our resource endowments, geographic advantages, and industrial foundation into development advantages. The vast areas both north and south of the Tianshan Mountains take on a completely new look every year. Last year, a number of Xinjiang's economic indicators ranked among the fastest-rising nationwide, as Mr. Chen mentioned previously. Xinjiang's stable social environment, favorable business environment, and sound industrial system have attracted a large number of well-known domestic and foreign enterprises to invest and start businesses in the region. Since 2012, Xinjiang has attracted a cumulative total of 6.6 trillion yuan in investment from outside the region. 223 countries and regions around the world have trade relations with Xinjiang. In 2024 alone, 516 delegations with over 10,600 visitors came to Xinjiang for visits, while the region attracted 5.148 million foreign tourists. Xinjiang has transformed from a relatively closed inland region into a gateway for opening up to the west.

Meanwhile, we have always put people's well-being first and rallied their support, underpinning long-term peace and security. The fundamental guarantee for lasting peace and security in Xinjiang lies in rallying the people's support. Over the years, we have allocated more than 70% of public budget expenditures to ensure and improve people's livelihoods. We have eradicated absolute poverty as scheduled. We have advanced comprehensive rural revitalization and consolidated the achievements of poverty elimination. We have vigorously improved urban and rural infrastructure and basic public services and worked to meet the people's basic living needs. In summary, the people of all ethnic groups cherish the current promising situation from the bottom of their hearts, and we have united a strong force to maintain social stability. Those who seek to undermine such a happy life will be firmly rejected by the people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang. That's all from me. Thank you.