Xi's Xinjiang visit: A reflection on 70 years of transformation

IN THE golden autumn of late September, the streets of Urumqi were adorned with bright banners and fresh flowers in celebration of the 70th founding anniversary of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

- 

Amid the festive atmosphere, Chinese leader Xi Jinping made a three-day trip to the regional capital last week. Xi, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Chinese president and chairperson of the Central Military Commission, led a central delegation to join the celebrations, marking the first time in the history of the Party and the country that such an arrangement has been made.

Beyond the celebrations, Xi's pivotal trip reflected the past, honoured the people, and mapped out the future of this vital region.

On October 1, 1955, China's National Day, the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region was established, marking the start of a new era for the region. Today, the exhibition in Urumqi highlights the remarkable changes Xinjiang has experienced in seven decades.