URUMQI — Authorities celebrated the 60th founding anniversary of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (XPCC) on Oct 6.

Led by Vice-Premier Liu Yandong, a delegation composed of 20 senior officials of the Communist Party of China, the central government and the army visited the Corps in Xinjiang and watched a special gala held for it.

They also attended other celebration activities.

As an important component of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, the XPCC is a special social organization that handles its own administrative and judicial affairs within the reclamation areas under its administration, in accordance with the laws and regulations of the state and the region. It assumes the responsibilities of cultivating and guarding the border areas.

Starting from scratch 60 years ago, the XPCC has reclaimed ecological oases from the desolate Gobi desert, initiated Xinjiang’s modernization, built large-scale agriculture and industrial and mining enterprises, and established new cities and towns in cooperation with local people of all ethnic groups.

Vice-Premier Liu Yandong (3rd L, front) watches a special gala held for the 60th founding anniversary of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (XPCC) in Urumqi, capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Oct 6, 2014. Led by Liu, a delegation composed of 20 senior officials of the Communist Party of China, the central government and the army arrived in Urumqi on Monday to attend celebration activities for the 60th founding anniversary of the XPCC.[Photo/Xinhua]