Xinjiang in figures: High-quality development and high-standard opening-up

The State Council Information Office of China has released a white paper titled CPC Guidelines for Governing Xinjiang in the New Era: Practice and Achievements, highlighting key achievements through data.

In the pursuit of Chinese modernization and common prosperity, none of the nation’s 56 ethnic groups should be left behind. Xinjiang has fully, accurately and faithfully applied the new development philosophy and actively contributed to and been integrated with the new development dynamic. The region continues to drive deeper all-round reform and wider high-standard opening up. The foundation for Xinjiang’s stable economic and social development has been strengthened, the momentum for growth has been accelerated, and the new development quality and efficiency have been substantially enhanced. Overall, Xinjiang has made solid progress in advancing Chinese modernization.

Sustainable, sound and rapid economic development

The region’s GDP increased from about RMB749.95 billion in 2012 to more than RMB2.05 trillion in 2024, exceeding the threshold of RMB2 trillion for the first time with an annual growth rate of 7 percent at constant prices. Its per capita nominal GDP increased 2.3 times from RMB33,495 in 2012 to RMB78,660 in 2024.

In 2012, the shares of the primary, secondary and tertiary industries were 16.1 percent, 44.3 percent, and 39.6 percent respectively, and in 2024, the figures were 12.5 percent, 39.6 percent, and 47.9 percent.

Improved infrastructure

The operating mileage of railways totaled 9,202 km as of 2024 – up from 4,914 km in 2012.

The highway network has also grown, from 165,900 km in 2012 to 230,000 km in 2024

The number of civil air routes in Xinjiang now totals 595, of which 25 are international routes, connecting to 17 countries and regions.

750 kV transmission lines extending more than 12,000 km, with optical cables now extending 1.78 million km.

Cluster effect of the modern industrial system

In 2024, grain yield per unit area reached 7872.75 kg/ha, the highest in the country.

Xinjiang’s cotton output of about 5.69 million tonnes accounted for 92.3 percent of the national total in 2024, maintaining its position as the country’s top producer for the 32nd consecutive year. The mechanization rate in plowing, planting, and harvesting has reached 97 percent.

Solid green and low-carbon development

In 2024, the proportion of days with good air quality was 78.1 percent in cities at or above the prefectural level. Water management has also improved, as the region moves towards a more efficient and rational use of its water resources. In 2024, the proportion of surface water at Grade III (good water quality) or above reached 95.9 percent. Oases area has expanded by 56.6 percent over the past three decades.

A core area of the Silk Road Economic Belt

Xinjiang has established 19 ports. A total of 16,400 freight trains traveled through Xinjiang on the China-Europe Railway Express in 2024. The number of Xinjiang’s economic and trade partners also increased significantly to 211 in 2024, with the total import and export value surging from RMB158.96 billion in 2012 to RMB434.16 billion in 2024.