URUMQI, Aug. 27 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday stressed the importance of firmly grasping the strategic positioning of Xinjiang in the overall national situation and building a beautiful Xinjiang in the process of pursuing Chinese modernization.
Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks when he was briefed in Urumqi about the work of the Party committee and government of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, as well as the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (XPCC).
He demanded fully, faithfully and comprehensively implementing the Party's strategy in governing Xinjiang in a new era. Focusing on the overarching goal of ensuring the rule of law, unity and enduring prosperity, we should seek steady progress in our work with thorough, meticulous, and concrete efforts, to develop a beautiful Xinjiang that is united, harmonious, prosperous, and culturally advanced, with healthy ecosystems and people living and working in contentment, in the process of pursuing Chinese modernization, Xi said.
Xi was in Xinjiang after returning from the 15th BRICS Summit and a state visit to South Africa. He was briefed in Urumqi about the work of the Party committee and government of the region, as well as the XPCC. Ma Xingrui, a member of the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau, and secretary of the CPC Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Regional Committee, together with other governmental officials, gave the briefing, while Erkin Tuniyaz, chairman of the region, and others attended the meeting.
After hearing the report, Xi delivered an important speech, acknowledging the achievements made in various work in Xinjiang. He pointed out that Xinjiang-related work holds a crucial position in the overall work of the Party and the nation, and concerns the building of a strong country and the progress of national rejuvenation. The requirements made by the CPC Central Committee for work on Xinjiang are clear-cut, and it is critical to fully understand and implement them. While focusing on the current situation and addressing the major problems facing its development and stability, Xinjiang must formulate a long-term plan, solidly advance the essential, fundamental and long-range work regarding its long-term security and stability, and take proactive action to resolve all underlying challenges and problems.
Xi stressed that Xinjiang should always give priority to maintaining social stability and step up efforts to coordinate stability with development, so that it can secure development with stability and promote stability with development. Focusing on long-term security and upholding the rule of law, Xinjiang must make full use of the law and elevate the rule of law, so as to build a solid legal foundation for retaining stability. It is imperative to improve the mechanism for preventing and defusing major risks and hidden dangers, and integrate the fight against terrorism and separatism with law-based, persistent work on maintaining stability. Efforts should be focused on addressing both symptoms and root causes, employing a comprehensive strategy, and strengthening problem-solving at source. We need to intensify efforts in adapting Islam to Chinese conditions and fight against various illegal religious activities. It is essential to be vigilant against potential dangers and pay great attention to work in every field, in a bid to consolidate the hard-earned social stability.
Xi pointed out that forging a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation is a focus of the CPC's work on ethnic affairs in the new era and all work in areas with large ethnic minority populations, therefore, great efforts should be made in this regard. When it comes to the introduction of laws, regulations or policies, the primary consideration should be whether it is conducive to strengthening the commonality of the Chinese nation and enhancing the sense of community for the Chinese nation. Xi said that standard spoken and written Chinese must be resolutely taught to advance people's consciousness and capability to use it. He also stressed the importance of strengthening the protection and use of cultural relics and heritage to help officials and the public develop a correct understanding of state, ethnicity, history, and religions. Xi urged civic education and education on popular science for young people, whom he said should be guided to actively integrate into modern civilized life. He called for a new type of people-centered urbanization, increased concentration of population and industries, the development of an interconnected social structure and community environment, and the promotion of exchanges and interactions among people of all ethnic groups.
Xi pointed out that the country's drive to build a new development pattern and promote high-quality development and Chinese modernization has provided Xinjiang with new opportunities, and Xinjiang should seize the opportunities and make new achievements. Based on its resource endowment, geographical advantages and industrial foundation, Xinjiang should advance innovation in science and technology, foster and develop industries with unique advantages, actively develop emerging industries, and accelerate the construction of a modern industrial system that reflects Xinjiang's characteristics and advantages so that Xinjiang will be able to advance on the track of high-quality development and work with the rest of the nation to comprehensively build a modern socialist country. To achieve social stability and high-quality development in Xinjiang, the most arduous task is in rural areas. It is imperative to consolidate and build on the achievements in poverty alleviation and advance rural revitalization for further development. More work should be done to intensify efforts to develop the economy and improve people's well-being, build more water conservancy facilities, optimize the allocation of water resources, and actively develop industrial parks for modern agricultural and photovoltaic sectors, so as to cultivate and develop new areas for continued growth based on Xinjiang's resource endowment. Work concerning pairing assistance for Xinjiang should be done well, and industrial cooperation and the exchange of personnel between Xinjiang and the rest of the country should be strengthened. People from Xinjiang should be encouraged and guided to seek job opportunities in other parts of the country, and people from the rest of the country should also be encouraged to start businesses and live in Xinjiang. The region's unique geographical advantages should be given full play to actively serve and integrate the region into the new development pattern. With such geographical advantages, the region should do a good job in opening up in accordance with its own realities, and accelerate the construction of core areas of the Belt and Road Initiative, so that Xinjiang could develop itself into the gateway of the country's westward opening up.
Xi noted that for a better job of affairs in Xinjiang, emphasis must be placed on the grassroots, and Party members and officials should go down to the grassroots and keep close contact with the people. Organizational systems and work should be directly channeled to the grassroots level to strengthen the frontline. Primary-level Party organizations should be improved and cover all areas, and those weak and lax ones should be consolidated. Efforts should be made to improve the system of selecting the first secretary and task force and dispatching them to the key villages so that local officials will be trained with the support of such task force. It is essential to adhere to and develop "Fengqiao experience" in the new era and learn about people's concerns so as to timely respond to their difficulties and problems.
Xi called for efforts to promote positive publicity, better tell Xinjiang stories in the new era through multiple channels to present an open and confident Xinjiang, while refuting fake and baleful reports about Xinjiang in a targeted manner. Xinjiang should open wider for tourism, and efforts should be made to encourage domestic and overseas tourists to travel in the region.
Xi noted that while implementing the policies and measures made by the CPC Central Committee, XPCC and Xinjiang should strengthen their integrated efforts in anti-terrorism, economic growth, ecological conservation, ethnic unity and cultivation of talent and officials, so as to further advance their coordinated development.
Xi stressed that upholding the Party's overall leadership and strengthening Party building are the key to doing a good job in Xinjiang-related work. It is a must to resolutely uphold the CPC Central Committee's authority and its centralized, unified leadership and implement its decisions and plans. It is imperative to carefully review the experience gained in the first round of the theoretical study program to better carry out the second round of the program, take into consideration realities in Xinjiang to promote theoretical learning and policy training, and strengthen the capability of leading officials at all levels in conducting fact-finding missions, implementing policies, advancing work, and maintaining ties with the people. Work should be done to strengthen officials' political awareness, make sure they keep strict political discipline and take a committed political stand. It is necessary to promote the exchange of officials between Xinjiang and the central Party and government departments as well as other parts of the country, and encourage officials from other regions to take provisional or permanent posts in Xinjiang, so as to improve the structure of officials and their professional competence. Efforts must be continued to improve conduct, enforce discipline, and combat corruption to foster and develop a political atmosphere of integrity.
Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, attended the meeting.
Wang Yi, Shi Taifeng, Li Ganjie, He Weidong, He Lifeng, Chen Wenqing, Wang Xiaohong, and leading officials of the Fifteenth Central Steering Group for theoretical study program and relevant central Party and government departments also attended the meeting.
