Massive Aid Program to Spur Development and Maintain Stability in Xinjiang

China's relatively developed regions are ready to implement a massive new aid program intended to spur development in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

Experts say that Xinjiang should establish some pillar industries to secure long-term development.

Wu Jia has the details.

Reporter:

Under the assistance program, more than 10 billion yuan, or about 1.5 billion U.S. dollars, will flow into Xinjiang next year.

The economic aid will be provided by 19 provinces and municipalities, most of them in the relatively prosperous eastern and central regions.

Zhou Zhenqiu, an official in charge of assistance affairs with the Shanghai Municipal government, says they are working out detailed plans to implement the assistance program.

"After consultations with governments in Xinjiang, we will focus much of our effort on improving local residents' wellbeing, such as creating jobs for them. Our assistance will also cover the sectors of education and medical services."

Statistics show that the average annual income of Xinjiang residents is only 70 percent of the national average.

Yang Siyuan, a professor at the Beijing-based Minzu University of China, says the assistance program should integrate with local resources to cultivate pillar industries for Xinjiang.

"In addition to its well-developed oil industry, Xinjiang can develop its new energy industry as the region is rich in wind and solar power. Moreover, the region has great potential to boost its agricultural products processing sector. "

In light of last year's riots in Urumqi, in which about 200 people were killed, the professor says development is crucial for maintaining stability.

"Stability cannot be secured without development. We should focus more effort on boosting local development to lay a solid foundation for long-term stability in Xinjiang. Ignoring either development or stability will trigger consequences that we are not delighted to see."

Over the past 13 years, the central government has run a smaller aid program to shore up the underdeveloped Xinjiang region.

The new assistance program increases the number of cities and towns that will benefit to 82 from 56, while five more provinces and cities have joined in as aid providers.

For CRI, I'm Wu Jia.