During his first trip to Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region as Chinese head of state in April 2014, President Xi Jinping sang the region's praises in a poetic way. At a seminar in Wujiaqu, a city administered by the Sixth Division of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (XPCC), Xi quoted a well-known line written by eminent poet Su Shi (1037-1101), a household name in China, "I'd like to be a southerner all my life, eating 300 lychees a day." Su, a former senior court official, was then serving in a minor position in Huizhou, in what is now Guangdong Province in south China, following a demotion. Xi made a pastiche by saying, "Xinjiang has naan, pilaf, lamb skewers, Hami melons, grapes and so on. We have every reason to say, 'I'd like to be a Xinjiang resident forever.'"

The XPCC, founded in 1954 following the demobilization of several military units stationed in Xinjiang, is tasked with guarding and developing the region's border areas.

Xi's words have struck a chord with Xinjiang residents, both newcomers and those who have lived here for generations alike.

Tasty food, of course, is only part of Xinjiang's appeal. The vast region is undergoing a dramatic transformation, driven by government-led efforts to improve living standards and foster prosperity.

By late 2020, Xinjiang had bid farewell to absolute poverty along with the rest of China. In the process of poverty alleviation, it overcame challenges such as geographical remoteness, weak industrial foundations and the lack of skilled workers. The success was especially remarkable in its southern prefectures, defined by intimidating landscapes such as the Taklimakan Desert, the world's second largest shifting desert, and the Pamir Plateau with an average altitude of more than 4,500 meters.

Targeted programs provided cash subsidies, housing assistance and job placements to poor families while encouraging the development of signature industries that make the most of local resources, including fruit growing and textile production.

Infrastructure development has played a pivotal role in linking Xinjiang to the rest of China and the world at large and bridging economic divides. Huge investment has been devoted to building transportation networks. For instance, the Hongqilafu Airport, which opened in 2022 in Tashikuergan (Taxkorgan or Tashkurgan) Tajik Autonomous County, at an altitude of about 3,200 meters, is China's westernmost airport. Building highways, railways and airports enables even the most remote communities to benefit from development.

Education is another cornerstone. According to the latest population census, 16,536 out of every 100,000 residents in the region had received university-level education in 2020, up from 10,635 a decade earlier. The average years of education for the population aged 15 and above increased from 9.27 to 10.11. Healthcare has also seen improvements. The region is focusing on channeling more medical resources to the county level so that residents can have most illnesses treated close to home.

A key part of Xinjiang's transformation is its plan to attract talented professionals. In 2023, the government established a 10-billion-yuan ($1.4-billion) fund. The fund sponsors programs to foster local scientists and innovators and encourage high-caliber professionals elsewhere to relocate to Xinjiang.

Under China's "pairing-up assistance" policy, provincial-level regions, central government agencies and centrally administered state-owned enterprises have been designated to assist specific areas of Xinjiang since 1997. In addition to providing much-needed funding for development, this policy has attracted professionals specializing in multiple fields to Xinjiang, helping the region stay up-to-date with the latest knowledge and expertise.

Indeed, the transformation of Xinjiang is not just about infrastructure, education or economic growth—it is about people. It is about children who grow up carefree, families that have an increasing sense of security and communities that feel more included in the country's development.

All who call Xinjiang home are both eyewitnesses to and beneficiaries of the changes occurring in the region.

Challenges remain, but Xinjiang's people, as builders of their home, are working together to create a brighter future.