Xinjiang's unity, tech innovation, ecological progress lauded by Dominican legislator

Joseph Isaac, speaker of the House of Assembly of Dominica, said his ongoing visit to Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region has been eye-opening, highlighting the region's unity, technological innovation and ecological progress.

Xinjiang has created a model where multiple ethnic groups work together to achieve economic success, Isaac told reporters as he attended the 2025 Legislators Forum for Friendly Exchanges held in Urumqi.

It takes discipline, hard work and unity to achieve, he added.

"We Dominicans see the Chinese people as hardworking and innovative. We see China as a leading technological power," the speaker noted, adding that Xinjiang's achievements went far beyond what he had expected.

He shared with reporters his visit to Aksu prefecture, a place famous for the apple, in west-central Xinjiang. During his tour, Isaac visited many places, including an agricultural trading platform, a wetland park, cotton plantations, and advanced factories.

He was struck not only by the high level of modern technology implemented into the plantation, production and trading process, but also by the way local communities and families work together to boost productivity.

He also saw the region's efforts in building a green belt wall and a tree-planting program along the desert's edge to combat desertification.

"I think that should be actually replicated across the globe so that we can fight climate change and ensure sustainability," he said.

Speaking of a cultural event he attended, Isaac said he was very much impressed by the gathering of different ethnic groups performing at the same time, eating and drinking together.

This is the proof of unity, and their smiling faces indicate happiness, he said.

For Isaac, the broader lesson of Xinjiang is that inclusive participation at the grassroots level is vital. Regardless of ethnic background, when people see they can contribute to change, they participate in, and that is what creates economic development and social transformation, he said.

He noted that Dominica can also learn from the region's experience of how to motivate people to be voluntary engaged in dealing with climate change.

Dominica and Xinjiang can cooperate in areas such as agriculture, sustainable energy such as wind energy and solar technology, as well as people-to-people exchanges, he said.