Southern Xinjiang makes headway in poverty alleviation

URUMQI - Promoting tailored industries, relocation of poverty-stricken villagers and employment transfers are among measures taken by southern Xinjiang in a decisive battle against poverty.

Over the years, tremendous changes have taken place in the region, which has long been bothered by floods, droughts, and extreme weather.

"Some fellow villagers died without seeing tap water," said Wsitam Nurjyung, a resident in Kashgar. "But now life is getting better."

From 2014 to 2018, the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region lifted over 2.3 million people above the poverty line, defined by a per capita annual income of 2,300 yuan (around 324 U.S. dollars) at 2010 prices. The poverty rate in the region is now at 6 percent. By next year, these remaining people are expected to be taken off the impoverished list.

During the period, nearly 1.9 million people in southern Xinjiang were lifted out of poverty, with its poverty rate dropping from 29.1 percent to 10.9 percent.

"The more complex the causes of poverty, the more in-depth analysis is needed," said Zheng Genchang, a senior official in Kashgar.

"There are always more solutions than difficulties," Zheng said.