Despite separatist activities in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, national unity, social stability and the smooth progress of national economy are well protected in the area. 
 
In recent years, Xinjiang's economy and social make-up has advanced by leaps and bounds. Last year alone, despite the impacts of SARS and natural disasters, its GDP grew by close to 11 percent and the total value of fixed assets exceeded US$12 billion. In addition, Chairman of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Ismail Tiliwaldi says major breakthroughs have also been made in education, reemployment and other aspects of social development.

"We started to provide free compulsory education to more than 2 million impoverished students last year and we also reduced agricultural tax by a wide margin for low income earners. In addition, we were able to provide food and clothing for 190,000 extremely impoverished people."

Actually, people of all ethnic groups find their lives are constantly improving in Xinjiang. Chairman Ismail Tiliwaldi says this has helped to maintain social stability and national unity.

"With efforts from all walks of life and various levels of government, Xinjiang enjoys more stability. With more and more tangible benefits received from economic development, people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang stand firmly against terrorist and other violent activities."

He adds that in recent years, there have been no cases of explosions or assassinations in Xinjiang. And the region's relations with neighboring countries have also improved. China, Russia and countries neighboring Xinjiang like Kazakhstan, Kyrgystan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan have joined the Shanghai Cooperation Organization to fight against national separatists, terrorists and religion extremists.
 
(CRI April 13, 2004)