Xinjiang's ethnic diversity and pomegranate

Each autumn, vibrant red pomegranates adorn fruit stalls on the streets of Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, situated in northwestern China. While locals consider this delectable fruit a sweet and succulent treat, they also draw parallels between pomegranate seeds and the concept of social unity and harmony. This analogy stems from the diverse demographic tapestry that enriches Xinjiang, home to over 26 million individuals that belong to some 56 ethnic groups — including the Han Chinese, Uyghurs, Kazakhs, Huis, Tatars and others — who have resided here for centuries.

This year Xinjiang is commemorating the 70th anniversary of its emergence as the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Locals are currently celebrating the anniversary amidst the remarkable socio-economic progress achieved in the region. Despite occasional criticism, often unfounded, from external sources, successive leaders of the Communist Party of China have consistently pursued a policy of political and cultural integration. This approach has been characterised by an unwavering focus on the well-being of the local population, encompassing health, education and livelihood development. The tangible benefits of these initiatives have become evident to the broader populace.

Statistical data also explains the remarkable trajectory of development in China's five autonomous regions: their combined GDP registered 5.6% increase, surpassing the national average.

In Xinjiang, the GDP surpassed 2 trillion yuan (approximately $273 billion) in 2024, a near doubling of the GDP from 2012, when the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China appointed Xi Jinping as its secretary general.

Since then, the well-being of the general public has been prioritised as the cornerstone of development planning. Over 70 per cent of Xinjiang's general public budget is allocated to public security and welfare initiatives.

Over the past decade, Xinjiang has accelerated its integration into national and global supply chains, particularly under the Belt and Road Initiative. It has enhanced connectivity through roads, airports, ports and rail, and increased its economic scale in renewable energy, agricultural output, public investment and trade. Industrial output and investment rose by 8% and 6.9%, respectively.

Xinjiang serves as a crucial node in the China-Europe freight and rail networks, including China-Europe freight trains. The Urumqi international land port is being developed into a logistics and transportation hub.

President Xi Jinping's regular visits to the region bolster confidence and reinforce the sense of cohesion among locals. Recently, President Xi joined the locals to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the region's founding.

During his recent visit to the region, President Xi emphasised the paramount importance of ethnic unity for the country's prosperity and stability. He underscored that without ethnic harmony, societal cohesion and public well-being, the nation would face decline, societal instability and suffering.

Officials in Beijing point to the exceptional attention that Xi and other leaders accord to autonomous regions. For them, economic progress and social harmony in these regions serve as a testament to the success of China's all-inclusive policy, which has lifted most regions out of poverty.

Kurban Tulum, a Uyghur farmer from the Hotan Prefecture in Xinjiang, and his daughter Tohtihan Kurban, have reportedly contributed to Beijing's unusual focus on the development of these autonomous regions.

In 2017, Tohtihan Kurban wrote a letter to President Xi, reminding him of her father's long journey on a donkey to Beijing to express his gratitude to Chairman Mao Zedong for the freedom the People's Revolution brought to Xinjiang in 1949. Kurban Tulum was subsequently received by Mao twice, and his story became a widely circulated narrative of ethnic unity.

In response to Ms Kurban's letter, President Xi acknowledged her father's story and expressed satisfaction that Tohtihan Kurban's extended family comprising over 100 members is currently enjoying a fulfilling life. President Xi emphasised the significance of the "big family of the Chinese nation", and hoped they would continue to cherish this concept.

The Chinese president has also visited Tohtihan Kurban's hometown of Hotan, where the local community was facing economic challenges for decades. After Ms Kurban's letter, the president resolved to connect with remote communities, spanning from snow-capped plateaus to secluded mountain villages, and vowed that no ethnic group would be left behind in this endeavour. By 2020, nearly 100 million rural residents, including over 31 million from ethnic minority regions, had successfully been lifted above the national poverty line.

With the establishment of new residential facilities, comprehensive medical insurance, free education and employment schemes, the Hotan prefecture showcases the remarkable socio-economic transformation there.

Xinjiang's rapid socio-economic achievements and political stability serve as a valuable lesson for nations like Pakistan. The Chinese Communist Party has demonstrated that a state of insecurity does not, and should not, hinder planning and its implementation.

Infrastructure and socio-economic progress in regions such as Xinjiang and Tibet underscore that unwavering focus on people's well-being and inclusive approaches can neutralise and eventually eliminate negative influences.

The Communist Party and its leadership have acted as a protective shield for all ethnic groups within its borders — the way the pomegranate peel keeps the seeds together and protected against external influences. It is intriguing to contemplate whether Pakistan would ever have such a selfless and caring leadership that prioritises the interests of its people over its own.