Confidence to put Xinjiang back on track

Nur Bekri told reporters that the negative effects left by the riot would be erased "in the shortest time" and the government had the confidence to ensure the fast development of the region's economy.

He said worries about the future situation of Xinjiang were completely "unnecessary".

"Such a serious incident was cooled down in so short time, which itself shows a solid foundation for people of various ethnic groups in Xinjiang," said Nur Bekri.

According to Nur Bekri, the local tourism industry, which was once hard hit by the riot, has already shown signs of revival. He said that the number of tourists from home and abroad had risen in the past two days.

Statistics show that thousands of traveling groups were cancelled after the riot, involving hundreds of thousands of tourists.

"Xinjiang is capable of providing a harmonious and safe environment for tourists... The riot will not affect the opening up policy of the region and we sincerely welcome businessmen from home and abroad to invest here," said Nur Bekri.

Nur Bekri refuted foreign reports which claimed that women of Uygur were forced to go eastward to work.

"Such reports are completely untrue. Before these women were organized to work in other provinces, we must get permission from their parents and especially themselves," he said.

According to him, the local government spent 300 million to 400 million yuan to provide free courses on technology and language for people going to work in other places.

Every year, a total of 100,000 migrant workers from south Xinjiang will be organized to work in other regions to earn more money.

Nur Bekri also denied sayings that promoting mandarin Chinese in the region was aimed at eliminating or replacing ethnic languages.

"On the premise of learning their own languages well, it is very beneficial for ethnic people to learn mandarin and even a foreign language," he said, adding that in this way they will have more working opportunities.

Nur Bekri revealed that the Chinese government will spend a total of 3 billion yuan rebuilding the old town area of Kashgar, a key city on the silk road whose population is mostly of Uygur ethnic group.

He said most of the houses in the old town were made of brick-wood and were very unstable if an earthquake occurs. Also some residents live on high slopes and their houses may collapse at any time.

According to him, the rebuilding plan has already been approved by the UNESCO.

"We are fully capable of keeping the stability of Xinjiang," Nur Bekri added.

(Xinhua News Agency July 19, 2009)