President Xi Jinping Attends Grand Celebration for Xinjiang's 70th Anniversary in Urumqi

President Xi Leads Delegation at Historic Celebration

Chinese President Xi Jinping attended a grand gathering in Urumqi on September 29, 2025, to commemorate the 70th founding anniversary of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. The event, held in the regional capital, saw President Xi, who is also General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, join local officials and members of the public from various ethnic groups. His visit, which began earlier in the week, marked the first time a central delegation led by the country's top leader has attended such a celebration in Xinjiang.

During his multi-day visit, President Xi engaged in several activities, including meeting with representatives from all ethnic groups and attending an evening gala titled 'Beautiful Xinjiang'. He also listened to work reports from the CPC Xinjiang regional committee and the regional government. Other high-ranking officials present included Wang Huning, Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), and Cai Qi, Director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee.

Emphasis on Unity and Modernization

In his remarks and during discussions, President Xi underscored the importance of building a 'socialist modern Xinjiang that is characterized by unity, harmony, prosperity, affluence, cultural progress and a sound eco-environment, where people live and work in peace and contentment'. He emphasized the full, faithful, and comprehensive implementation of the Party's guidelines for governing Xinjiang in the new era, and stressed the imperative to foster a strong sense of the Chinese nation as one community.

The celebration highlighted the region's significant progress since its establishment on October 1, 1955. An exhibition visited by President Xi showcased Xinjiang's transformation over seven decades, contrasting past dwellings with modern infrastructure and living standards. Official reports indicate that Xinjiang's GDP grew at an average annual rate of 7.04 percent since 2012, surpassing 2 trillion yuan in 2024. The region has also seen the eradication of rural poverty and substantial infrastructure development, including an extensive network of highways and railways, and the completion of the Tianshan Shengli Tunnel.

Xinjiang's Strategic Role and Development Achievements

Xinjiang, covering approximately one-sixth of China's total land mass, holds a strategic position as a hub for openness and exchange, connecting China to Central Asia, the Middle East, and Europe along the historic Silk Road. The region has made notable ecological progress, including the creation of a 3,046-kilometer green belt around the Taklimakan Desert to combat desertification. Furthermore, Xinjiang has emerged as a national base for high-quality agricultural and livestock products, with its cotton output accounting for 92.3 percent of the national total in 2024.

The official narrative surrounding the anniversary emphasized these achievements as a reflection of the region's development and stability under the leadership of the CPC. However, the celebration occurred amidst ongoing international scrutiny regarding human rights in the region. Organizations such as Radio Free Asia and the East Turkistan Government-in-Exile have offered contrasting perspectives, with the latter denouncing the event as 'colonial propaganda' and citing allegations of human rights abuses against ethnic Uyghurs.

Looking Ahead: A New Era for Xinjiang

The 70th anniversary celebration was presented as a milestone, marking a new starting point for Xinjiang's modernization journey. The region's leadership aims to continue advancing high-quality development, strengthening ethnic unity, and ensuring long-term stability. The event underscored China's commitment to integrating Xinjiang more deeply into the national development framework and leveraging its strategic importance for broader regional connectivity.