President, stressing solidarity of ethnic groups, visits to celebrate region's founding anniversary

President Xi Jinping called on Tuesday for people from all ethnic groups and all walks of life in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region to pool efforts and strive in solidarity to build a beautiful Xinjiang in the process of achieving Chinese modernization.

He made the remarks when meeting with representatives from all ethnic groups and sectors in the region.

Xi arrived in Urumqi, the region's capital, earlier in the day to attend activities marking the 70th anniversary of the region's founding, including a grand gathering on Thursday morning.

Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, has led a central delegation to Xinjiang for the celebrations, marking the first time in the history of the Party and the country that such an arrangement has been made.

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The visit speaks volumes about the importance that the CPC Central Committee attaches to Xinjiang work, as well as its great care for the officials and people of all ethnic groups in the region.

Located in Northwest China, Xinjiang has been the home of various ethnic groups since ancient times and a place for cultural integration.

As the plane carrying Xi landed at Urumqi Tianshan International Airport, he was greeted with warm applause and cheers from local people waiting on the tarmac. Thousands of people from different ethnic groups welcomed him with traditional dances accompanied by festive music.

Paruzat Zulpikar, a Uygur student in the fifth grade, presented Xi with a bouquet of red roses, peonies and pomegranates.

"It still feels just like a dream. I was both excited and nervous," she said. "I greeted him with 'Hello, Grandpa Xi', and he gave me a warm feeling."

Permeated with a festive atmosphere, Urumqi was decorated with colorful flags on both sides of the main streets from the airport to the hotel. People from all ethnic groups waved flags and cheered to express their welcome and gratitude. Opening the car window, Xi waved back to the crowds along the road.

Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC in 2012, Xinjiang has made solid progress in promoting high-quality development, with its per capita nominal GDP more than doubling — from 33,495 yuan ($4,710) in 2012 to 78,660 yuan in 2024.

Over the past years, people's well-being has also witnessed continuous improvement, as more than 70 percent of Xinjiang's general public budget is allocated every year to safeguard and improve people's well-being, in order to ensure that development benefits the people of all ethnic groups in a fair way.

Wang Haoyu, a community worker and a member of a dragon dance team, said he has personally experienced the changes in living conditions over the years.

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"Our family first lived in an old, 50-square-meter brick house. When I was about 2 years old, we moved into a walk-up apartment. Then, five or six years ago, we moved into an apartment with an elevator. Life has kept getting better," he said.

The 27-year-old said that Xinjiang's development today has not come easily. "We are not only witnesses to history, but also builders of history. I will continue to work hard, do my job well, and help make Xinjiang an even better place," he said.

Also on Tuesday, Xi held separate meetings with local officials, leaders of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, cadres who have come to work in Xinjiang from other parts of the country, judicial workers, police officers, and patriotic members of religious circles, among others.

Xi also met with military officers ranked colonel and above, along with grassroots role models and civilian personnel accompanying troops stationed in Urumqi. He conveyed cordial greetings to all military personnel in Xinjiang on behalf of the CPC Central Committee and the Central Military Commission.

Contact the writers at mojingxi@chinadaily.com.cn