胡凯红:

Hu Kaihong:

女士们、先生们，大家上午好！欢迎出席国务院新闻办今天举办的新中国成立七十周年省（区、市）系列主题新闻发布会。

Ladies and gentlemen, good morning. Welcome to attend this press conference. This is one of a series being held on the development of provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the central government to mark the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

今天我们非常高兴地请来了新疆维吾尔自治区党委副书记、自治区主席雪克来提·扎克尔先生，新疆维吾尔自治区党委常委、自治区副主席艾尔肯·吐尼亚孜先生，新疆维吾尔自治区党委常委、自治区常务副主席张春林先生，请他们围绕“建设美丽新疆、共圆祖国梦想”向大家作介绍，并回答大家的提问。

Today, we are delighted to welcome officials from Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region to speak on the theme of "Building a beautiful Xinjiang, realizing the Chinese Dream." Present with us are: Mr.Shohrat Zakir, deputy secretary of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Regional Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and chairman of the Xinjiang regional government; Mr. Alken Tuniaz, a member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Regional Committee and vice chairman of the Xinjiang regional government; and Mr. Zhang Chunlin, a member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Regional Committee and executive vice chairman of the Xinjiang regional government. They will make a brief introduction of current developments in Xinjiang, and then answer some of your questions.

首先我们有请雪克来提·扎克尔主席作介绍。

Now, I give the floor to Mr. Shohrat Zakir. 

雪克来提•扎克尔:

Shohrat Zakir:

大家上午好！很高兴在这里和大家见面。我代表自治区党委、自治区人民政府和2480多万新疆各族人民，对各位长期以来对新疆的关心和支持表示感谢！对大家参加今天的发布会表示欢迎！

Good morning, everyone. I am glad to have the opportunity to meet you here. On behalf of the CPC Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Regional Committee, the regional government, and the people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang, I would like to express my gratitude to all of you for your long-term attention and support to Xinjiang. I welcome you all to this press conference. 

新疆地处中国西北，位于亚欧大陆腹地，总面积166.49万平方公里，周边与8个国家接壤，是中国陆地面积最大、交界邻国最多、陆地国界线最长的省级行政区。新疆是一个神奇而美丽的地方，自古就是中国不可分割的一部分。新疆地域辽阔、资源富集，历史悠久、文化深厚，是一个多民族聚居、多文化交汇、多宗教并存的地区，是东西方文明交流的重要通道。在悠久的历史进程中，生活在这片土地上的各族人民和睦相处、休戚与共，共同开发、建设、保卫祖国的疆土，共同谱写了可歌可泣的爱国主义篇章。

Xinjiang is situated in the northwestern part of China in the hinterland of the Eurasian continent. It covers a total area of 1.66 million square kilometers, and abuts eight countries. Of all the provincial-level administrative regions in China, Xinjiang possesses the largest area, the highest number of bordering countries, and the longest national land border in China. 

Xinjiang, an amazing and beautiful land, has been an inalienable part of China's territory since ancient times. Covering a large area abundant with various resources, the region has a long history with a profound culture. Inhabited by many ethnic groups and displaying the coexistence of multiple cultures and religions, it serves as an important corridor for East-West cultural exchanges. Since ancient times, the people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang have lived in harmony, sharing weal and woe. They have jointly developed, built and safeguarded the territory of the motherland, creating an epic of patriotism.

1949年9月25日，新疆实现和平解放，开辟了新疆历史新纪元。“一唱雄鸡天下白，万方乐奏有于阗”。10月1日，新疆各族人民同全国人民一道迎来了中华人民共和国的成立。1955年10月1日，新疆维吾尔自治区成立，掀开了新疆历史发展的新篇章。新中国成立70年来，在中国共产党的领导下，在全国人民的支持下，新疆与祖国同奋进、共成长，走上了一条发展进步、繁荣昌盛的康庄大道，取得了举世瞩目的辉煌成就。

The peaceful liberation of Xinjiang on Sept. 25, 1949, ushered in a new historic era. On Oct. 1, 1949, all ethnic groups of Xinjiang, together with all other Chinese people, witnessed the founding of the People's Republic of China. On Oct. 1, 1955, the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region was established, opening a new chapter for Xinjiang development. Under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC), and with the support of the whole nation, Xinjiang has forged ahead and worked toward development, progress and prosperity, together with the motherland, delivering remarkable results over the past seven decades.

党的十八大以来，以习近平同志为核心的党中央高度重视新疆工作，心系新疆各族人民，对新疆工作倾注了大量心血。习近平总书记亲自到新疆视察指导工作，多次主持会议研究新疆工作，发表一系列重要讲话、作出一系列重要指示。2014年5月召开的第二次中央新疆工作座谈会，把实现社会稳定和长治久安确定为新疆工作总目标，进一步丰富、发展、升华了新时代党的治疆方略；2015年，习近平总书记为新疆维吾尔自治区成立60周年题写贺匾“建设美丽新疆、共圆祖国梦想”，道出了新疆各族人民的共同心声，凝聚了全国人民的美好祝愿和期盼；2017年全国“两会”期间，习近平总书记亲临新疆代表团参加审议并发表重要讲话，对新疆工作提出殷切期望，为新疆工作提供了根本遵循、注入了强大动力。我们全面贯彻落实新时代党的治疆方略，紧紧围绕社会稳定和长治久安总目标，团结带领全区各族干部群众，真抓实干、攻坚克难，天山南北发生了翻天覆地的变化。

Since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has attached great importance to work in relation to Xinjiang and all its ethnic groups. Unceasing efforts have been undertaken in this regard. General Secretary Xi Jinping carried out inspection tours to Xinjiang, presided over meetings to study work in relation to Xinjiang, and delivered important speeches and relevant instructions. In May 2014, the Second Central Meeting on the Work of Xinjiang set forth the overall goal of achieving lasting social and political stability in Xinjiang, enriching the Party's strategies for governing Xinjiang in the new era. In 2015, General Secretary Xi Jinping commemorated the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, expressing his wish to see the building of a beautiful Xinjiang and realizing the Chinese dream. This is also the common aspiration of the whole nation, including everyone in Xinjiang. During the two sessions in 2017, General Secretary Xi Jinping participated in a discussion with the deputies of Xinjiang, sharing his vision for the work being undertaken in Xinjiang, which provided the principles, and became a great encouragement to the next step in our work. We have fully implemented the Party's guiding principles and strategies for governing Xinjiang in the new era. Focusing on the overall goal of achieving social and political stability, we have united the people of all ethnic groups, overcome difficulties, and delivered solid progress, resulting in great changes on both sides of the Tianshan Mountains.

一是经济发展取得了历史性成就。

First,Xinjiang's economic development has realized a historic leap.

经济总量从1952年的7.91亿元，增长到2018年的1.2万亿元，扣除物价上涨因素，增长了200倍，年均增长8.3%。人均生产总值从1952年的166元，增长到2018年的4.9万元，增长了37.7倍，年均增长5.7%。

Its GDP increased from 791 million yuan in 1952 to 1.2 trillion yuan in 2018. Adjusted for inflation, this represents a 200-fold increase, with an average annual gain of 8.3%. Xinjiang's per-capita GDP rose to 49,000 yuan in 2018, from 166 yuan in 1952, and that's approximately a 37.7-fold increase in real terms, averaging 5.7% annual growth.

经过70年的发展，农业综合生产能力和现代化装备水平大幅提高，建成全国最大的棉花生产基地，农业机械化、高效节水灌溉走在了全国前列。工业生产从无到有，形成了门类齐全的现代工业体系，一批新能源、新材料和装备制造企业生产技术处于国内乃至世界领先水平。一座座现代化新城拔地而起，成为大漠戈壁上一颗颗璀璨的明珠。贯通南北疆、连接国内外的现代综合交通网络基本形成，高速公路已把全疆所有地州市连接起来，行政村道路通达率达到99.74%。铁路营业里程达5959公里，新疆同全国一道，我们也进入了高铁时代，现在乌鲁木齐到全国都可以通高速铁路。我们也进入了地铁时代，乌鲁木齐的地铁已经开始营运，投入使用。拥有21个民用机场，在疆内外旅行乘坐飞机已成为很多百姓的首选。

After 70 years of development, Xinjiang's overall agricultural production capacity and its possession of modernized equipment have notably improved. It has China's biggest production center of cotton, and it also leads the nation in agricultural water-saving irrigation and mechanized farming. The region's industry started from scratch and has formed a fully-fledged modern industrial system. Some production technologies in regard to new energy, new materials and equipment manufacturing have taken the lead domestically and even in the world. More and more modernized cities have emerged as shining pearls in the Gobi desert. Stretching from north to south and connecting the hinterland with the world, Xinjiang's modern comprehensive transportation system has been basically completed. All prefectures and cities are connected by highways. Road network connectivity among administrative villages has reached 99.74%. The length of in-service railways totals 5,959 kilometers. Alongside the rest of China, Xinjiang has also entered the era of high-speed railways, which now links Urumqi to the rest of the country. We have also entered the era of subway, as the subway in Urumqi has already begun operating. There are 21 civilian airports in Xinjiang, and airlines have become the top choice for people to visit us and travel within the region.

近年来，我们充分发挥区位优势，抓住国家“一带一路”建设的重大机遇，着力扩大对内对外开放，全力把新疆打造成丝绸之路经济带核心区和我国向西开放的门户。2018年外贸进出口总额达200亿美元，是1950年的1481倍。我们充分发挥独特的旅游资源优势，大力实施旅游兴疆战略，充分释放稳定带来的红利，旅游业呈现井喷式增长，2018年接待国内外游客超过1.5亿人次、增长40.1%，今年上半年接待游客7589万人次、增长46%，预计全年将超过2亿人次，向世界展示着新疆的神奇美丽、繁荣发展、和谐稳定。

In recent years, we have made good use of Xinjiang's geographical advantages, and seized the major opportunities presented by the Belt and Road Initiative. We are committed to promoting openness both at home and abroad, and turning Xinjiang into a key region on the Silk Road Economic Belt, as well as a major window in China's opening to the West. In 2018, Xinjiang's total imports and exports were $20 billion. This is 1,481 times greater than it was in 1950. We have made good use of our unique tourism resources, implementing the strategy of developing Xinjiang through tourism. The potential created by stability is fully utilized as well. Tourism has seen a significant upsurge in recent years. Xinjiang received more than 150 million domestic and foreign tourists in 2018, a year-on-year growth of 40.1%, and 75.89 million tourists visited in the first half of this year, up 46% year-on-year. We expect to receive more than 200 million visitors this year. And we hope to present the charm, prosperity, and stability of Xinjiang to the world.

二是各族人民生活有了历史性改善。

Second, the living standard of people of all ethnic groups has achieved a historic improvement.

城乡居民的收入由1978年的319元和119元，分别提高到2018年的32764元和11975元，年均分别增长12.3%和12.2%。各族群众衣、食、住、行条件有了巨大改善，过去吃不饱、穿不暖、缺电缺水、交通封闭的日子已彻底成为历史。

Per-capita income of urban residents jumped from 319 yuan in 1978 to 32,764 yuan in 2018, an average annual growth of 12.3%; that of rural residents went up from 119 yuan in 1978 to 11,975 yuan in 2018, an average annual growth of 12.2%. Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region has greatly improved the clothing, food, accommodation, and transportation conditions of the people of all ethnic groups, ensuring that the problems of hunger, cold, water and power supply shortages, and inaccessibility to the outside world that previously haunted this land a thing of the past.

党的十八大以来，我们坚持紧贴民生推动发展，连续多年将财政支出70%以上用于保障改善民生，持续推进以就业、教育、医疗、社保、住房等为重点的惠民工程，一大批涉及群众切身利益的民生难题得到解决。实施零就业家庭动态清零、实施全民一年一次免费健康体检、实施农村学前三年免费教育、实施农村安居和游牧民定居工程、建立大病保险制度、实现城乡居民最低生活保障应保尽保，让各族群众有了更多的获得感、幸福感、安全感。

Since the 18th CPC National Congress, with a stress on people-centered and livelihood-centered development, Xinjiang has, for many years, spent more than 70% of its public budget expenditures on improving public livelihoods and continuously boosting welfare programs focusing on employment, education, medical services, social security and housing etc. Many pressing livelihood issues bearing on the people's immediate interests have been solved. Xinjiang has provided "zero-employment" families with jobs in a timely manner, implemented the policy of free annual physical examination, achieved three-year free pre-school education in rural areas, carried out rural housing projects and built permanent housing for nomadic herdsmen, established a healthcare insurance system to treat critical illnesses, and provided basic living allowances to eligible rural and urban residents. People of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang have enjoyed a stronger sense of gain, of happiness and of security.

我们以南疆四地州深度贫困地区为重点，聚焦全面建成小康社会，推动脱贫攻坚取得了明显成效。特别是从新一轮脱贫攻坚以来，也就是2014年到2018年，全区累计实现231.47万人完全脱贫，农村贫困发生率由过去的19.4%降到现在的6.1%。2020年，也就是明年，新疆将同全国一样，同步实现完全脱贫，不留下一个贫困人口，不留下一个贫困家庭，为全面建成小康社会而努力，明年和全国一样，如期实现全面建成小康社会目标。

To complete the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects, we are focusing on poverty-stricken areas in the four prefectures of southern Xinjiang and have made clear gains in eradicating poverty. From 2014 to 2018, during a new round of the poverty alleviation campaign, 2.31 million people shook off the shackles of poverty, and the impoverishment rate in rural Xinjiang dropped from 19.4% to 6.1%. By 2020, like the rest of China, Xinjiang will lift its impoverished population totally out of poverty by current set standards. We will leave no one behind. Together with the whole nation, Xinjiang will make great efforts to finish building a moderately prosperous society in all respects within the set timeframe.

三是社会事业得到了历史性发展。

Third, our social undertakings have achieved historic breakthroughs.

解放初期，学龄儿童入学率不足20%，文盲率高达90%，人均预期寿命只有30岁。经过70年的发展，我们已基本实现九年义务教育全覆盖、南疆3年学前教育和12年基础教育全覆盖。2018年，新疆学前幼儿园入园率已达到95.95%、小学学龄儿童入学率达到99.91%。中央政府还专门为新疆学生举办内地高中班，在内地发达城市一些最优质的高中设立新疆学生内地高中班，和内地学生同步受到教育，享受最优质的教育资源，已累计培养学生11万人，使新疆农牧区的孩子免费享受到了中国发达地区的优质教育。在全区建立起了较为完善的县乡村三级医疗预防保健体系，新疆人均预期寿命延长到72.35岁。

In the early years after liberation, the net enrolment ratio of school-age children was under 20%, the illiteracy rate was as high as 90%, and the average life expectancy was merely 30 years. Over the past 70 years, we popularized nine-year compulsory education and provided free three-year pre-school education and 12-year basic education in southern Xinjiang. In 2018, the enrolment ratio of kindergartens was 95.95%, and the enrolment ratio of school-age children in primary schools was 99.91%. The central government has also organized Xinjiang Senior High School Class in some of the most developed cities in other provinces to offer better and free education for students from Xinjiang's farming and pastural zones, a scheme that has benefited 110,000 students so far. Xinjiang has also set up a relatively complete county-township-village three-tier disease prevention and health system. The average life expectancy has now risen to 72.35 years.

我们高度重视各民族优秀传统文化的保护和传承，新疆维吾尔木卡姆艺术、柯尔克孜史诗《玛纳斯》被列入联合国教科文组织非物质文化遗产名录。我们已基本建成区、地、县、乡四级公共文化服务体系，实现县有文化馆、乡有文化站、村有文化室，群众文化活动丰富多彩。

We highly value the protection and development of traditional ethnic cultures. The Xinjiang Uygur Muqam and Kirgiz epic "Manas" were inscribed on the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity and the List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Requiring Urgent Protection. 

Xinjiang has built a four-tier public cultural service system from the autonomous region down to prefectures, counties and townships. Each county has a cultural center, each township has a cultural station and each village has a cultural hub, enriching people's daily life.

刚才大家进门的时候也可以看到，我们新疆的那些欢歌跳舞的维吾尔族群众，也能看到外面很多农民自己创业的土特产、旅游产品，还能看到我们民间保留的一些原生态的民族演艺，实际上也折射出新疆各族老百姓70年以来的幸福生活。

You probably have noticed the exhibition stands set up outside this room. Those Uygur people perform beautiful songs and dances. And there are also local snacks and tourism products from our start-ups in rural areas. Through this, you can enjoy our traditional ethnic culture. All of these display the improved well-being of our people in Xinjiang.

四是民族团结实现了历史性进步。

Fourth, we have achieved historical progress in advancing solidarity among all ethnic groups.

我们全面贯彻党的民族宗教政策和民族区域自治制度，培养造就了一大批优秀少数民族干部，充分保障各少数民族使用本民族语言文字的权利，保障各族群众依法享有宗教信仰的自由，尊重和保护信教群众的正常宗教活动，尊重各少数民族的风俗习惯，发展和巩固了平等、团结、互助、和谐的新型社会主义民族关系。我们坚持不懈地开展民族团结进步创建活动，颁布实施《新疆维吾尔自治区民族团结进步工作条例》，通过多种途径和形式，促进各民族交往交流交融，像石榴籽一样紧紧抱在一起。

We have fully implemented the Party's ethnic and religious policies and the system of regional ethnic autonomy. Xinjiang has cultivated a number of ethnic officials. The right to use ethnic languages and characters of various ethnic groups is fully secured. The law protects and respects the right of every person to freedom of religious belief and participation in religious activities. And the ethnic customs of all shall be respected. All of these aspects have helped to develop and consolidate the new socialist ethnic relationship featuring equality, unity, mutual aid and harmony. In Xinjiang, unremitting efforts have also been made in holding activities promoting ethnic unity and progress. Xinjiang has promulgated the Regulations of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on the Work of Ethnic Unity and Progress. The exchanges and cooperation between different ethnic groups have been promoted in different areas and manners. People of various ethnic groups are as united as pomegranate seeds.

今日的新疆，社会稳定、经济发展、民族团结、宗教和顺，各族人民安居乐业，各项事业欣欣向荣，处于历史上最好的繁荣发展时期。

Xinjiang is enjoying social stability, sustained economic development, a harmonious coexistence of all religions, a better standard of living and solidarity among all ethnic groups. The region is experiencing its most auspicious period of development and prosperity.

新疆70年的辉煌与成就，离不开中央的大力支持和全国人民的无私帮助。新中国成立以来，中央财政对新疆补助累计达2.35万亿元，其中2012年—2018年就达1.61万亿元。2018年达到3022亿元，占当年新疆财政支出的60.3%。2010年以来，全国19个省市对口支援新疆，已累计投入援助资金1035亿元，引进合作资金近1.8万亿元。1997年以来，先后有15975名援疆干部来到新疆，与新疆各族人民一道团结奋斗、建设美好家园，让新疆各族人民深切地感受到了祖国大家庭的温暖。

The prosperity and progress of Xinjiang cannot be separated from the great support of the central government and the selfless help of all Chinese. From the establishment of the PRC, the total financial subsidies of the central government to Xinjiang have reached 2.35 trillion yuan, including 1.61 trillion yuan alone from 2012 to 2018. In 2018, the financial subsidy of the central government to Xinjiang reached 302.2 billion yuan, accounting for 60.3% of Xinjiang's budgetary expenditures. Since 2010, a total of 19 provinces and various cities in eastern and central China have joined the pairing scheme providing aid to different parts of Xinjiang, with a combined fund of 103.5 billion yuan. And they have also ushered in 1.8 trillion yuan for cooperation projects. Since 1979, the country has sent 15,975 officials to support Xinjiang's development. They work together with all ethnic groups to build a better Xinjiang, thus enjoying the full warmth of the big family of our motherland.

新疆70年的历史巨变雄辩地证明：只有在中国共产党的领导下，在祖国大家庭温暖的怀抱中，坚持走中国特色社会主义道路，坚持和完善民族区域自治制度，坚持各民族共同团结奋斗、共同繁荣发展，新疆各族人民才有繁荣进步的今天和更加美好的未来。

The historic changes that have taken place in Xinjiang over the past 70 years eloquently prove that only through the leadership of the CPC, in the big family of the motherland, the insistence on pursuing socialism with Chinese characteristics, the determined focus on adhering to and improving the system of regional ethnic autonomy, and the joint efforts made to achieve common prosperity and development, has it been possible all ethnic groups in Xinjiang to have a prosperous and progressive present and be able to look forward to a more beautiful future.

中华民族一家亲，同心共筑中国梦。站在新的历史起点上，我们将不忘初心、牢记使命，在以习近平同志为核心的中共中央坚强领导下，以习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想为指导，全面贯彻落实新时代党的治疆方略特别是社会稳定和长治久安总目标，坚持依法治疆、团结稳疆、长期建疆，努力建设团结和谐、繁荣富裕、文明进步、安居乐业的中国特色社会主义新疆，奋力谱写好中华民族伟大复兴中国梦的新疆篇章。

The Chinese nation is a family where we are making concerted efforts to achieve our Chinese Dream. At such a historic point in time, we will continue to bear in mind our original aspiration and mission, carry out the Party's Xinjiang governance strategy under the guidance of the Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, focus on the overall objective of social stabilization and lasting stability and durable peace, insist on rule of law, ethnic unity and long-term construction in the region, strive to build a united, harmonious, prosperous, civilized, and progressive Xinjiang based on socialism with Chinese characteristics and strive to write a good Xinjiang chapter in the Chinese dream of national rejuvenation. 

下面，我愿意和我的同事回答各位提出的问题。谢谢大家！

Now, my colleagues and I will answer your questions. Thank you.

胡凯红:

Hu Kaihong:

谢谢雪克来提·扎克尔主席，现在开始提问。

Mr. Zakir, thank you for your introduction. Now, let's open the floor to questions.

中央广播电视总台央视记者:

CCTV:

刚才主席在介绍中提到，新疆全面贯彻实施民族区域自治制度和党的民族宗教政策，民族团结实现了历史性的进步。请问，新疆是如何推进民族团结工作的？有哪些具体措施、成效如何？谢谢。

Just now, the regional chairman said that, by comprehensively implementing regional ethnic autonomy and the Party's ethnic and religious policies, Xinjiang has seen historical progress in ethnic unity. So, how has Xinjiang promoted its ethnic unity? What are the concrete measures and results? Thank you.

雪克来提•扎克尔:

Shohrat Zakir:

关于民族政策和民族团结的问题，我作一个简单的介绍。

I will give you a brief introduction to Xinjiang's ethnic policies and ethnic unity situation. 

新疆自古以来就是多民族聚居的地方，2480多万人，世居的民族有13个，新中国成立70年以来，特别是改革开放40多年以来，全中国56个民族，绝大多数民族都有人口在新疆居住，这是新疆多民族的特点。新疆贯彻党的民族政策，以宪法、法律赋予民族区域政策，是一个特别突出的工作，也是我们尤其关注的一项工作。依法贯彻民族区域自治制度，坚决落实党的各项民族政策，实现民族团结历史性进步。如何做到民族团结，有哪些举措来保障党的政策和宪法、法律赋予的民族区域自治制度呢？我们特别关注以下几点：

Xinjiang has been a multi-ethnic place since ancient times. Of 25 million people living there now, among the many ethnic groups present, 13 have resided in Xinjiang for generations. In the 70 years since the founding of the People's Republic of China, especially over the 40-plus years since China's reform and opening-up, Xinjiang has seen people from most of China's 56 ethnic groups establishing a home here. This shows the multi-ethnic nature of Xinjiang. By implementing regional ethnic autonomy in accordance with the law, and resolutely implementing the Party's ethnic policies, Xinjiang has made historic progress in ethnic unity. How do we promote ethnic unity? What measures are implemented to fulfill the Party's policies and regional ethnic autonomy, which is enshrined in the Constitution and other laws? We pay special attention to the following points.

第一，把民族团结作为各族人民的生命线。民族团结是最重要的前提，习近平总书记跟我们讲，要像爱护自己的眼睛一样维护民族团结。党对民族团结有一系列方针政策和法律法规，保障每一个民族的平等。我们地方也出台了一系列法律法规，从法治上保障每一个民族的合法权益。在中华人民共和国这个大家庭当中，我们做到人人平等，每一个民族平等相处。

First, we see ethnic unity as the lifeline for people of all ethnic groups. Ethnic unity is the foremost prerequisite [for Xinjiang development]. General Secretary Xi Jinping has told us that we should protect ethnic unity the same way we protect our own eyes. To ensure ethnic equality, the Party has adopted a series of lines, policies, laws and regulations. Besides, Xinjiang has local laws and regulations to guarantee the legitimate rights and interests of each ethnic group. We have worked to ensure that everyone is equal and all ethnic groups get along with each other on equal terms within this big family of the People's Republic of China.

第二，要推进民族区域自治制度，这是我们基本政治制度之一，各民族都要参与民族区域自治制度的贯彻落实。截至2018年，我们企事业单位中的少数民族干部已经达到42.8万人，占到新疆整个干部人数的50.3%。而且，我们也特别注重女性干部，少数民族女性干部有23.3万人，占到新疆女性干部总数的51.8%。

Second, we uphold regional ethnic autonomy. It is a basic component of China's political system. We involve every ethnic group in its implementation. By 2018, among the officials working in Xinjiang's public institutions and businesses, 428,000, or 50.3%, are from minority ethnic groups. In addition, we value the contribution of female officials. Xinjiang now has 233,000 female officials from minority ethnic groups, representing 51.8% of the feminine component. 

第三，我们充分尊重和依法保护各民族使用自己的民族语言文字，发展本民族文化的权利。我们积极鼓励推广使用国家通用语言文字。新疆有多民族的语言文字报刊、杂志、媒体，保证各民族人民的需要。尊重少数民族在新疆的风俗习惯，比如说婚丧嫁娶等等涉及到生活习惯的问题。我们全力保障，按照自己的风俗习惯保持传统，民族和民族之间互相包容，互相尊重。

Third, we fully respect and protect the rights of all ethnic groups to use their own spoken and written languages and develop their own culture according to the law, while encouraging and promoting the use of China's standard spoken and written language. Xinjiang has newspapers, magazines and other media available in multiple ethnic languages to meet the needs of different groups. Besides, we respect the folk customs of minority ethnic groups, for example their wedding and funeral rites. We do our utmost to see that every ethnic group can maintain its customs and traditions, while accommodating and respecting those of other groups. 

我们一直坚持开展民族团结教育活动，比如，从改革开放以来，我们一直在开展民族团结教育和宣传。这些年，随着中国国力逐步增强、脱贫攻坚作为一项重要的任务摆到议事日程，根据全面建成小康社会的需要，我们动员大量干部，一百多万干部到各地跟广大少数民族群众，特别是农牧区贫困少数民族群众结队认亲，来促进各民族之间的交往交流交融，增进各民族之间的友谊。各族人民像石榴籽一样紧紧抱在一起，这是新疆民族关系的真实写照。谢谢你的提问。

We have kept carrying out education on ethnic unity. With the gradual gain in China's national strength in recent years, it has put poverty relief on the agenda as an important task. As required by the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects, we have sent over one million officials to different parts of Xinjiang to bond with people of minority ethnic groups, especially those living in poor rural areas. In doing so, we hope to promote exchanges, interactions and friendships among different ethnic groups. What really happens in Xinjiang is that different ethnic groups are closely united like the seeds of a pomegranate that stick together. Thanks for your question.

阿联酋中阿卫视记者:

China Arab TV:

请问新疆维吾尔自治区政府对“一带一路”倡议有什么看法？跟阿拉伯国家有什么样的“一带一路”合作项目？

What does the Xinjiang regional government think of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)? What cooperation projects are there between Xinjiang and Arab countries under the BRI framework?

张春林:

Zhang Chunlin:

这位记者提了很好的问题。为了便于加深对这方面的了解，我借此机会介绍一下新疆在丝绸之路经济带核心区建设取得的成效和基本做法。习近平总书记提出的“一带一路”倡议，得到了世界各国的普遍赞誉。2014年，国家将新疆确定为丝绸之路经济带核心区，自治区党委、政府抓住这一难得的历史机遇，主动实践，全力推动丝绸之路经济带核心区建设，目前已经取得了阶段性成效。主要做法是：

That's a good question. In order to provide more relevant information, I would like to elaborate on Xinjiang's practices and the progress so far made in building itself as the core region of the Silk Road Economic Belt. The BRI proposed by President Xi Jinping has received worldwide acclaim. In 2014, Xinjiang was designated as the core region of the Silk Road Economic Belt. The regional Party committee and government seized the historical opportunity, took proactive measures and stepped up their efforts to promote the development of the core region. Initial success has been achieved in this regard. The major elements are as follows:

第一，坚持规划引领，推动政策沟通，自治区党委、政府先后出台了《关于推进新疆丝绸之路经济带核心区建设的实施意见》《推进新疆丝绸之路经济带核心区建设行动计划（2014-2020年）》。

First, we designed development plans to enhance policy coordination. The regional Party committee and government formulated the Guidelines on Construction of Xinjiang as the Core Region of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the Action Plan to Promote Construction of Xinjiang as the Core Region of the Silk Road Economic Belt (2014-2020).

第二，我们坚持多路并举，推动基础设施互联互通。在公路建设方面，我们与周边五个国家开通了国际道路运输111条，中国到吉尔吉斯斯坦、乌兹别克斯坦的公路实现了常态化。

Second, we have persisted in building multiple transportation projects to promote infrastructure connectivity. In terms of road construction, we have opened 111 routes connecting with five surrounding countries. As a result, road transportation from China to Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan has been normalized. In terms of railways, Urumqi has been connected to the hinterland's high-speed rail network. The Hami-Ejina and Karamay-Tacheng railways have both begun operation. 

在铁路方面，乌鲁木齐至内地的高铁实现了联网，哈密至额济纳铁路开通运行，克拉玛依至塔城铁路开通运行。同时我们还新建了3条铁路，库尔勒至格尔木铁路、阿勒泰至富蕴至准东铁路，和田至若羌铁路，这三条铁路加起来的在建里程2013公里。五年来新增925公里铁路，加上在建的2013公里铁路，到2022年，新疆的铁路里程将突破8000公里。在航空方面，我们新建扩建了9座机场，新疆民航机场总数已经达到21个，今年要开工3个机场，明年还要开工5个机场，到2022年，机场总数将达到30个。我们不仅开通了乌鲁木齐至周边城市的航线，而且还开通了乌鲁木齐至伊朗首都德黑兰的航线，乌鲁木齐至格鲁吉亚首都第比利斯的航线，今年6月还开通了乌鲁木齐至奥地利首都维也纳机场的航线。今年我们还开工建设了乌鲁木齐机场的改扩建工程，这项改扩建工程要新建两条跑道，扩建航站楼70万平方米。届时，乌鲁木齐机场的旅客吞吐量将由目前的2000万人次提高到4400万人次，成为中国西部和中亚地区的国际枢纽机场。

在能源方面，我们新建了哈密-郑州正负800千伏的特高压输变电工程，准东-华东的正负1100千伏的特高压直流输电工程。

在通信方面，新疆与巴基斯坦、哈萨克斯坦、塔吉克斯坦、吉尔吉斯斯坦等周边国家开通了17条跨境光缆，实现了信息的互联互通。

At the same time, we are building three new railways – the Korla-Golmud, Altay-Fuyun-Zhundong and Hotan-Ruoqiang lines. These three railways will add 2,013 kilometers to the growing regional network. In the past five years, a total of 925 kilometers of lines have been built, and now a further 2,013 kilometers are under construction. By 2022, the length of railways in Xinjiang will exceed 8,000 kilometers. 

In terms of aviation, we have either newly built or expanded nine airports. The total number of civil aviation facilities in Xinjiang has reached 21, and three new airports will start construction this year, with another five to follow next year. By 2022, the total number of airports will reach 30. We have not only opened the air route from Urumqi to the surrounding cities, but also routes from Urumqi to the Iranian capital of Tehran, and from Urumqi to Tbilisi, capital of Georgia. In June this year, the route from Urumqi to the Austrian capital Vienna was also opened. This year, we launched the reconstruction and extension project for Urumqi Airport. This project will add two new runways and expand the terminal building by 700,000 square meters. By then, the annual passenger throughput of Urumqi Airport will increase from the current 20 million to 44 million, making it an international hub airport in western China and Central Asia.

In terms of energy, we have built the Hami-Zhengzhou ±800 kV UHVDC transmission project, and the Zhundong-East China ±1,100 kV UHVDC transformer project.

In terms of communication, 17 cross-border optical cables have been put into service in Xinjiang, connecting China with neighboring countries such as Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.

第三，我们坚持互利共赢，推动贸易畅通。2014年以来，累计开行西行班列2451列，年均增长100%，其中2018年当年突破1000列大关，达到1002列，通达中亚和欧洲19个国家的26个城市。同时，我们还坚持“引进来”和“走出去”，加强国际产能合作，例如生产变压器的特变电工，在吉尔吉斯斯坦兴建了热电厂，改善了吉尔吉斯斯坦能源供应状况；新疆中泰化学集团公司，在塔吉克斯坦兴办了棉纺厂，推动了当地老百姓的就业；民营企业华凌集团在格鲁吉亚第比利斯兴办了商贸城、兴办了工业园区，成为格鲁吉亚最大的外商企业。

Third, we continued to pursue mutual benefits and promote trade. Since 2014, we have established 2,451 railway services to link western neighboring countries with an average annual growth of 100%. In 2008, a total of 1,002 railway services were launched in Xinjiang to connect 26 cities of 19 countries in Central Asia and Europe. We have given equal emphasis to "bringing in" and "going global," so as to strengthen international capacity cooperation. For example, the renovation project of a thermal power plant in Kyrgyzstan, undertaken by the Chinese company TBEA, has improved the power supply there; Xinjiang Zhongtai Chemical Co., Ltd. opened its cotton mill in Tajikistan, providing many jobs for local people; Xinjiang Hualing Trade and Industry (Group) Co. Ltd., a private conglomerate, built a shopping mall and industrial park in Georgia and became the largest foreign enterprise there.

第四，我们坚持合作创新，推动资金融通。巴基斯坦的哈比银行在乌鲁木齐成立分行，并挂牌营业。新疆金融机构数量居西北五省之首，我们还创办了跨境人民币业务，目前同98个国家和地区开通了跨境人民币业务，有2700余家企业参与了人民币的跨境使用。

Fourth, we boosted financial cooperation and innovation. In 2016, Pakistan's Habib Bank set up a branch in Urumqi. Now, Xinjiang has the largest number of financial institutions among the five northwestern provinces. We have also launched the cross-border RMB business in 98 countries and regions, providing service to more than 2,700 companies so far.

第五，我们坚持人文交流，推动民心相通。在科技方面，新疆与科技部、中科院筹办丝绸之路经济带创新驱动发展试验区。在教育方面，我们累计招收了外国留学生1.24万人。同时，在周边6个国家建立了孔子学院10所。在医疗卫生方面，我们接待了周边国家的外籍患者2万余人次。新疆有29家医院与周边3个国家24所大型医院建立了跨境远程医疗服务平台。

Fifth, we have expanded people-to-people exchanges on a large scale. In science and technology, the Xinjiang regional government, the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Chinese Academy of Sciences launched a pilot zone for innovation-driven development along the Silk Road Economic Belt. As for education, 12,400 foreign students have studied in Xinjiang, and 10 Confucius Institutes have been established in six neighboring countries. In medical treatment and public health, more than 20,000 foreign patients have received medical help here. A total of 29 hospitals in Xinjiang have launched cross-border telemedicine service platforms with 24 large-scale hospitals from three neighboring countries.

以上是我们推进丝绸之路经济带核心区取得的初步成效。

下一步，我们的总体思路，一是建设一港，就是把乌鲁木齐陆路港建设成丝绸之路经济带核心区的标志工程。二是抓好两区建设，就是喀什开发区、霍尔果斯开发区建设。进一步释放稳定红利，发挥19个援疆省市帮助新疆发展的优势，加强招商引资，大力兴办纺织服装、电子产品加工、商贸物流等现代。三是推进三产发展。通过外向经济的发展，促进新疆整体经济发展，实现转型升级。

Next, we will follow three general ideas: first, to build the Urumqi International Land Port as a landmark project in the core region of the Silk Road Economic Belt; second, to promote construction of the Kashgar and Horgos economic development zones. We will further release stable dividends, give full play to the advantages of the 19 provinces and cities helping Xinjiang in its development, increase investment, and vigorously develop modern industries such as textiles and apparel, electronic product processing, trade and logistics; third, to advance the development of the tertiary industry. We will promote the development of an export-oriented economy to realize transformation and upgrading, and finally achieve overall economic development.

我们还利用新疆十几个口岸优势，进一步加快口岸边境带发展，全面提高对外开放的水平。目前我们同中亚国家已经建立良好的合作关系，立足于丝绸之路经济带核心区，进一步加强同西亚、中亚乃至非洲的友好合作。最近，我们的特变电工正在同非洲的相关国家，例如安哥拉商谈电力工程建设合作事宜。谢谢。

Taking advantages of a dozen ports in Xinjiang, we have been speeding up the development of border zones in order to improve the level of opening up. At present, we have already established sound cooperation with Central Asian countries and will strengthen friendly cooperation with Western Asian and African countries. Currently, TBEA is working on cooperation plans to better serve the power construction of some African countries such as Angola. Thank you.

中央广播电视总台国广记者:

China Radio International (CRI):

我们都知道，新疆是多民族聚居地区。请问，新疆是如何保护、传承少数民族优秀传统文化的？谢谢。

As we all know, Xinjiang has been a region inhabited by multiple ethnic groups since ancient times. May I ask how Xinjiang has protected and inherited the fine traditional culture of all ethnic groups? Thank you.

雪克来提•扎克尔:

Shohrat Zakir:

这个问题请艾尔肯·吐尼亚孜副主席回答。

This question will be answered by Mr. Alken Tuniaz.

艾尔肯·吐尼亚孜:

Alken Tuniaz:

感谢这位记者朋友的提问。新疆各民族的文化始终扎根于中华文明的沃土，是中华文化不可分割的一部分。新疆历来高度重视少数民族优秀传统文化的保护和传承工作。我们主要开展的工作和取得的成效是这样的：

Thank you for your question. The culture of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang has always been deeply rooted in time-honored Chinese civilization, and is an inalienable part of Chinese culture. Xinjiang has always attached great importance to the protection and inheritance of the fine cultural traditions of all ethnic groups. Our main work and achievements are as follows.

首先，文化遗产得到有效的保护和传承。2008年，我们出台了《新疆维吾尔自治区非物质文化遗产保护条例》，2010年又颁布了《新疆维吾尔自治区木卡姆艺术保护条例》，科学系统地为保护少数民族传统文化艺术提供了制度保障。2018年，我们拥有世界级自然遗产1处，遗产地6处。国家级历史文化名城有5座，分别是喀什市、吐鲁番市、伊宁市、库车县和特克斯县。我们有国家级的文物保护单位113处，自治区级文物保护单位有642处，有182家国有单位收藏保管了可移动的文物45万余件。同时，新疆维吾尔木卡姆艺术、柯尔克孜的《玛纳斯》史诗，维吾尔族麦西热甫分别列入“联合国教科文组织非物质文化遗产代表作名录”和“急需保护的非物质文化遗产名录”。新疆的各个民族都有代表性的非遗项目列入国家级和自治区级非遗名录之中。

First, cultural heritage has been effectively protected and inherited. In 2008, we published the Regulations of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on the Protection of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Then in 2010, we promulgated the Regulations of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on the Preservation of the Art of Uygur Muqam. The regulations have scientifically and systematically provided an institutional guarantee for the protection and inheritance of the traditional culture and art of all ethnic groups. By 2018, Xinjiang was identified as being home to one world-class cultural heritage site spread over six places, and five State-level historical and cultural cities, namely Kashgar, Turpan, Yining, Kuqa and Tekes. There are 113 cultural relics protection units at State level, 642 at autonomous region level, and more than 450,000 movable cultural relics collected by 182 State-owned units. At the same time, the Xinjiang Uygur Muqam, Kirgiz epic "Manas," and Uygur Meshrep were respectively included in the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity and the List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Requiring Urgent Protection. All ethnic groups in Xinjiang have their representative intangible cultural heritage included in either State or autonomous region-administered lists.

其次，新疆的文学艺术事业繁荣发展。新中国成立以后，民间文学、古典文学等都得到收集、整理、翻译、出版和研究，各民族作家、诗人、翻译家、表演艺术家和研究队伍迅速成长，形成一支多民族的文化艺术创作表演和研究队伍，他们很多作品都得到了国家和自治区级的奖项。

Second, literature and arts are prospering. Since the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, Xinjiang's folk and classical literature has been collected, collated, translated, published and studied. Writers, poets, translators, performing artists, and researchers coming from diversified ethnic minority origins have rapidly matured, forming a multi-ethnic literary, performing and researching contingent. Many of their works have won national and autonomous regional prizes.

再次，少数民族传统体育得到整理和保护。截至2018年，新疆发掘整理少数民族传统体育项目达到629项，其中维吾尔族的传统体育项目“达瓦孜”享誉世界，获得了7个世界吉尼斯奖。我们已经成功举办了9届少数民族传统运动会。

Third, traditional ethnic minority sports have been revived and protected. By 2018, the autonomous region had identified and revived 629 traditional ethnic minority sports. The Uygur traditional tightrope-walking known as Darwaz enjoys great repute around the world, being recognized in seven categories as Guinness world record achievements. We have successfully held eight National Traditional Ethnic Minority Sports Meets.

最后，少数民族文字信息处理等关键核心技术水平位居全国前列。为使各少数民族共享信息化时代的成果，中国政府制定了蒙古、藏、维吾尔、哈萨克、柯尔克孜等少数民族文字编码字符集、键盘、字模等国家标准，研究开发了多种少数民族文字排版系统、智慧语音翻译系统，支持少数民族语言文字网站和新兴传播载体有序发展，不断提升少数民族语言文字的信息化能力和社会应用能力。我就介绍到这里。

Finally, Xinjiang leads the country in a number of core and key technologies, such as information processing in ethnic minority languages. To help ethnic minorities share the achievements in the era of internet and IT applications, the Chinese government has formulated national standards for coded character sets, keyboards and type matrix of ethnic languages, including Mongolian, Tibetan, Uygur, Kazakh and Kirgiz. A variety of ethnic language typesetting systems and intelligent voice translation systems have been developed to support the orderly development of ethnic language websites and new media. All these efforts aim to make ethnic languages increasingly information-oriented and extensively used in the society. 

凤凰卫视记者:

Phoenix TV:

有消息指，新疆的教培中心羁押了很多维吾尔族人，请问是否存在这种情况？另外，到目前为止，教培中心一共收押了多少人？能否提供一个具体数字。

Reports have alleged some vocational education and training centers in Xinjiang have detained many Uygurs. Could you verify this? How many have been held at those centers so far? Could you give us a number?

艾尔肯·吐尼亚孜:

Alken Tuniaz:

感谢这位记者所提的问题。我首先向你作个说明，关于你所提的教培中心收押了许多维吾尔族人等问题，是个别国家和媒体别有用心的颠倒是非、诬蔑抹黑，纯属是不属实的。

Thank you for your question. I can confirm to you that the reports about detaining Uygurs at the vocational education and training centers in Xinjiang are totally false allegations made by some countries and media organizations out of their ulterior motives.

有关职业教育培训中心的问题，外交部发言人、国务院新闻办发言人都已经作了详实介绍。教培中心是职业技能培训中心，是在新疆特定历史条件下依法实施探索的有效途径，这也是中国政府学习借鉴国际社会的一些成功经验和做法，响应联合国大会作出的关于联合国全球反恐战略的决议，并结合新疆的实际，把各族人民的根本利益放在首位，深入探索反恐怖主义和去极端化的深层次问题而采取的做法。我们采取打击恐怖主义和保护人权相结合、维护稳定和改善民生相结合、宽严相济和挽救相结合，不与特定的区域、民族、宗教挂钩等，实践探索中取得了成效。多数人已经成功实现了就业，有的在家门口与企业签订劳动协议，有的享受地方政府给予的鼓励创业政策，自主创业，过着幸福的生活，实现了一人就业带动全家脱贫的目标。

Spokespersons for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the State Council Information Office have made detailed introductions about those centers. Establishing vocational education and training centers are the implementation of the UN Global Counter-terrorism Strategy. The effort is based on the reality in Xinjiang, while drawing on the experience of other countries. The government prioritizes safeguarding the fundamental interests of all ethnic groups and aims to explore ways to address deep-seated problems in regard to counterterrorism and de-radicalization. We strive to combat terrorism while protecting human rights, maintain stability while improving standards of living, and balance compassion and severity while taking measures for rehabilitation. Moreover, our counterterrorism efforts do not target any specific region, ethnic group or religion. Achievements have been made in this process. The majority of the trainees have found jobs. Some found employment at local companies and some started their own businesses through preferential policies provided by the local government, which have contributed to poverty relief in the region.

我们教育培训中心是开放的，从去年截至到目前，全球各地来了几十批上千人的新闻媒体朋友、各国使节、专家学者、宗教人士等纷纷来到新疆，看了我们的职业教育培训中心以后，都理解支持新疆的成功经验和做法，认为这是可以学习借鉴的。截至7月26日，原来有37个国家联名致信联合国人权理事会和人权高专写信，现在又增加了13个国家，共50个国家联合致信联合国人权组织，把职业技能培训中心取得的成效说得很清楚了。你关心人数是多少，因为我们的人员是流动的，进出是动态的，现在多数已经结业，实现了就业。欢迎这位记者朋友有机会亲自到新疆去了解职业教育培训情况。谢谢。

Since last year, the centers have received dozens of visiting delegations with a total of nearly 1,000 members, including media, diplomats, experts, scholars, and religious representatives. After witnessing the operations there, they all recognize and support the successful practices they have seen and think that the practices are worth learning. By July 26, representatives from a total of 50 countries had jointly sent a letter to the UN Human Rights Council to voice their support for the practices. The letter provided a detailed introduction about the centers’ achievements. The number of the trainees is constantly fluctuating. Most of them have now completed their trainings and found employment. I also welcome you to visit the centers in Xinjiang. Thank you.

路透社记者:

Reuters:

我有两个问题。第一，关于教培中心学员数量，请问雪克来提·扎克尔主席，能不能给我们一个大概的数字？第二，有些外国的官员，包括美国国务卿蓬佩奥表示这个教培中心相关的政策是世纪的污点，请问您对此有何回应？

I have two questions. First, my question goes to Mr. Shohrat Zakir. Could you give us an approximate number about the trainees at those centers? Second, the U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has described China's policies about these centers as being the "human rights "stain of the century'." What is your comment on this?

雪克来提•扎克尔:

Shohrat Zakir:

刚才艾尔肯·吐尼亚孜副主席就香港记者提出的问题作了回答，基本上这个问题属于同一类问题。教培中心是依法依规，新疆这些年来严重暴力恐怖犯罪事件频发，特别是披着宗教外衣传播极端思想，境外企图影响中国正常生活、颠覆我们社会的、一些跑到境外去的分裂分子，我们统称为“三股势力”，在新疆制造了一系列暴力恐怖事件。

Your question is similar to the previous one from the Hong Kong journalist. The centers are established and operated in accordance with the law and regulations. In recent years, serious violent terrorist crimes frequently occurred in Xinjiang, especially those committed under the guise of religion. Terrorism, extremism and separatism, the so-called "three evil forces," have created a series of violent terrorist incidents in the region.

新疆处在亚洲地理中心，接壤8个国家，有些国家这些年受到暴力恐怖犯罪的严重伤害。我们境内的一些被极端思想感染的人企图通过暴力恐怖犯罪达到他自己的政治图谋，一些人勾结起来，我们依法依规，学习借鉴世界上反恐斗争当中一些有效的做法，对一些受感染的、被迫胁参与暴恐活动的人，或者严重受到宗教极端思想影响的人，我们认为应当最大限度挽救他，这是认识问题。如果他要是实施暴恐，杀人放火，形成犯罪事实，触犯了刑法，我们就追究他的法律责任。对在那种氛围下受到影响的人，我们尽可能教育、挽救，让他了解实际情况，提高他遵守法律法规的素养。

Geographically, Xinjiang is located at the center of Asia abutting eight countries, some of which have been suffering with violent terrorist crimes themselves. Under certain foreign separatist influences, some people try to achieve their political goals through organizing violent terrorist crimes. By learning from the effective counterterrorism practices, we want to rehabilitate those who have been influenced by religious extremism or who have been forced to join terrorist groups. For those who have violated the criminal law, we will hold them accountable. For those who have been influenced by evil forces, we will strive to educate and rehabilitate them so that they can understand and obey the laws and regulations.

还有一些人由于没有职业，没有得到很好的教育，在这种问题比较多的地方，我们建立了职业技能教育培训中心，并不是有些人说的“集中营”。职业技能教育培训中心，第一是依法办，第二是公开办，第三人的进出是动态的，今天可能有些人来了以后，经过一段时间的学习，他觉得自己认识上有提高，觉得对披着宗教外衣、散播极端思想有认识了，这些人有了真诚悔改之心。

For those who are jobless and who have not received proper education, we established vocational education and training centers. The centers are by no means "concentration camps." They are established and operated publicly in accordance with the law. The number of trainees there fluctuates. After proper education, people involved may gradually become aware of extremism under the guise of religion and feel sorry for their former misdeeds. 

有些人说我现在没有一个很好的劳动就业能力，也没有劳动就业的岗位，我们帮助他采取三个方面的教育，达到一个方面的目的，我们叫“三学一去”。

Some people may say, "I am not well qualified to find a job, and there are no available positions". For such people, we offer education and training courses in three fields to achieve a final goal of employment.

第一，他要学习法律，作为一个国家的公民，首先要遵法，这是人类社会发展也是人类文明的一个最重要的标志。一个人要不守法，那这个社会可想而知会成为什么样的，要让他懂得基本的权利、责任、义务。

First, they must study the laws. As the citizen of a country, one must abide by the law. This is the most important attribute of human society and advanced civilization. If individual behavior is not restrained by the law, you can imagine what our society would turn into. Therefore, these people must learn their basic rights, responsibilities and obligations. 

第二，南疆居住的维吾尔族基本上不懂国家通用语言，到外面以后就没法工作，因为他语言交流不行，所以我们让他简单地学习一些与人交流的国家通用语言的培训，便于他将来融入社会，融入他的工作单位。

Second, the Uygur people in south Xinjiang know little about the standard language of the country. They are unable to work outside their hometown because of the difficulty in communication. For these people, there are training courses covering the simple standard language. It can help them communicate with others, and make them feel part of the local community and the workplace.

第三，我们让他在这个时候知道什么叫宗教，应该怎样去信仰宗教，或者怎样保护你自己宗教信仰的合法权益，在法律保护之下，进行正常的宗教活动，宗教的真谛是什么。当然，教育培训中心里面不光有伊斯兰教的信仰群体，还有其他宗教信仰群体，要让他了解宗教的真谛。

Third, they need to learn what is religion and how to practice it. They need to learn how to protect their lawful rights concerning their religious beliefs, how to conduct normal religious activities under the protection of the law, and what is the true meaning of religion. Of course, in the vocational education and training centers, there are believers of other religions besides Islam. They must be able to learn the true meaning of religion.

最后，达到去极端化的目的，不要有人披着宗教外衣，实施极端化，他们都看不出来，完了以后到处追随，造成社会危害。危害的不仅是个人，更危害别人的生命和财产安全，危害整个社会秩序，危害国家统一和我们平安和谐的生活。

Last, the goal of eradicating extremism has to be achieved. What we have to avoid is a situation whereby some people cannot distinguish whether a person is conducting extremist activities under the pretext of practicing religion, because, then, they follow such person blindly everywhere and thus can pose a threat to our society. It will do harm not only to these individuals, but also the life and property of others. It will also harm the social order, the unification of our country, and the peaceful and harmonious life of our people.

所以，这些人是有进有出，经过努力，教育培训的人绝大多数都找到了自己觉得合适的、喜欢的工作，有了可观的收入，而且这些人现在成为社会的积极因素，还带动其他老百姓创业就业、致富奔小康，取得了非常好的效果。

The trainees can leave the vocational education and training centers at an appropriate time. After study, the majority of them can find suitable jobs that they really like, and they can earn a satisfactory living. These people have become positive social factors, and achieved remarkable success in helping others to find a job and get rich.

就像刚才艾尔肯主席介绍的，我们接待了几十个国家的各种官员，各个层面的，包括宗教界的、社会各界、政府官员、外交官、人权组织官员等等。到了新疆以后，我们让他们参观考察，任意选择，甚至到喀什、和田这样的边远地方去，跟学员交流，在一起谈感受。绝大多数国家的官员和来访人士感觉到，这在世界是一个创举，这是遏制暴力恐怖犯罪和极端主义传播的一个很好的教育方式。现在新疆社会环境和老百姓的精气神，都集中在怎样去脱贫致富，怎样去奔小康，怎样过一个幸福生活，怎样去包容各个不同的群体、不同的民族，这是一个积极的变化。我们欢迎媒体、各国官员、社会各界人士、宗教界人士，随时到新疆去看，你愿意到新疆什么地方、看哪个教培中心都行。现在很多教培中心都成为了农民学习农业技术的短期培训班，或者就业上岗之前的短期技能学习场所。

As Mr. Alken just introduced, we have received government officials, diplomats, religious figures, officials of human rights organizations and personnel of all walks of life from dozens of countries. When they arrived at Xinjiang, they were allowed to go to any place they wished, including remote areas like Kashgar and Hotan. They could talk with the trainees in the centers. Most of them felt that the center was an excellent creation, and that it could effectively curb violent terrorist acts and the spread of extremism. Today, the society and all people in Xinjiang are focused on shaking off poverty and getting rich, leading a prosperous and happy life, and keeping an inclusive attitude towards other social and ethnic groups. This is a positive change. We welcome journalists, government officials, personnel of all walks of life and religious figures from other countries to go to Xinjiang and take a look personally. You can visit any vocational education and training center anywhere you like. Many centers now are oriented to short-term training on agricultural skills or vocational skills.

艾尔肯·吐尼亚孜:

Alken Tuniaz:

我再补充一点。新疆职业技能教育培训中心在学习期间是严格按照中华人民共和国宪法和有关法律的基本原则、要求来开展工作的，充分保障学员在学习期间不受任何侵犯，严禁以任何方式对学员进行人格侮辱和虐待；充分保障人身自由，有事可以请假，定期回家；充分保障学员在日常生活中使用自己的语言和文字；充分保障、尊重少数民族的生活习惯；充分保障保护学员的宗教信仰自由，按照国务院《宗教事务条例》，在学习期间不允许开展任何宗教活动，但是他回家可以根据个人意愿，开展合法宗教活动。而且我们教培中心就跟任何一个学校一样，开展了文化体育场所，丰富了学员的业余生活内容。

Please allow me to add some points on this issue. All trainings in the vocational education and training centers in Xinjiang are carried out in accordance with the Constitution of the People's Republic of China and relative laws. The legal rights of trainees should not be encroached upon. No one is allowed to abuse trainees mentally or physically through any means. The personal freedom of trainees must be protected. Trainees can take a few days off if there is a need. They are also allowed to go home regularly. Their right to use the spoken and written language of their ethnic groups must be protected. The lifestyles of their ethnic groups must be protected and respected. The freedom of religion must also be protected. According to the Regulations on Religious Affairs formulated by the State Council, trainees are not allowed to conduct religious activities during their study; however, when they return home, they can resume their religious activities freely under the law. Like any other school, these centers also have venues for cultural and sports activities for trainees to relax in their spare time. 

我前不久到喀什地区，一个85岁的维吾尔族老人说了这样一个小故事，他的儿子以前不听父母亲的话，虐待他的夫人，而且迫使他的姐姐和妹妹都穿戴蒙面罩袍，什么坏事都干透。经过教培中心教育转化以后，他的国语水平能交流，而且知道了什么是合法，什么是非法，还学了一两门技能，自己在家门口就创业了，还带动了几个人。老人握着我的手说，感谢党和政府对我儿子的挽救。像这样的故事，在我们新疆太多，希望记者朋友们可以跟他们交流，了解这方面真实的变化。谢谢。

Not long ago, I went to Kashgar and heard a story from an 85-year-old Uygur man about his son who did all sorts of bad things. In the past, the man wouldn't listen to his parents, abused his wife, forced his sisters to wear full face and body coverings. However, in the vocational education and training center, he learnt the standard language, knew what is allowed by the laws, and acquired some working skills. He then started a business near his home, and even helped other people. After telling me the story, the old man held my hands and extended his gratitude to the Party and the government for saving his son. There are many stories like this in Xinjiang. I hope journalist friends can talk with local people and learn the real changes taking place in Xinjiang. Thank you.

香港经济导报记者:

Hong Kong Economic Herald:

我提一个关于旅游方面的问题。提到新疆，我就会想到大漠孤烟、长河落日、千年的胡杨和梦里古城，西部歌王王洛宾也说过“新疆是个好地方”，旅游资源非常丰富的新疆，在发展旅游产业方面有哪些考量？谢谢。

My question relates to local tourism. Xinjiang can always remind us of the splendid scenes unfolded by the lonesome pillars of smoke rising from the vast desert and the sinking sun sits round on the endless stream. It is also associated with ancient cites and over one-thousand-year-old populous euphratica forests. It is a merry land in the eyes of Wang Luobin, the late legendary folk songwriter and singer from western China. With such bountiful tourism resources, how do you plan to develop local tourism? Thank you.

艾尔肯·吐尼亚孜:

Alken Tuniaz:

首先感谢这位记者朋友提的问题。新疆的旅游资源十分丰富，开发潜力巨大，截至2018年底，新疆拥有国家5A级景区12个，4A级景区79家，3A级景区有132家。新疆自然景观独特，主要的景点，像高山湖泊天山天池、人间仙境喀纳斯、绿色走廊吐鲁番的葡萄沟，还有空中草原那拉提、地质奇观可可托海以及喀什的泽普金胡杨、乌鲁木齐的天山大峡谷等重点景区，民俗风情浓郁，各民族在文化艺术、体育、服饰、餐饮等方面都各具特色。大家都知道，新疆少数民族一出生会说话就会唱歌，会走路就会跳舞，素有“歌舞之乡”的美誉。

Thanks for your question. Xinjiang has rich tourism resources with a great potential for development. By the end of 2018, the region had 12 scenic spots rated 5A (the highest rating for Chinese scenic spots), 79 at 4A, and 132 at 3A. Xinjiang is well known for its unique natural scenery. The major destinations include the Heavenly Lake and Tianshan Mountains Scenic Area, divine Kanas Lake, the emerald vineyards of Turpan, the earthly paradise Narat Prairie, the spectacular Koktokay National Geopark, Zepu Jinhuyang National Forest Park in Kashgar and the Tianshan Grand Canyon. Meanwhile, Xinjiang showcases a kaleidoscope of local traditions and customs, featuring diversified folk cultures, arts, sports, costumes and foods. Besides, people of the ethnic groups in Xinjiang are born dancers and singers, and Xinjiang is dubbed the "Home of Songs and Dances".

随着新疆稳定红利的持续释放，新疆旅游进入了一个井喷式发展的重要阶段。刚才我们雪克来提主席已经介绍了新疆去年的旅游发展基本情况和今年上半年的情况，我们今年到现在为止，新疆旅游井喷式的发展，今年来新疆旅游的人数有望突破2亿，我们完全有信心，也是有把握的。

With the dividends of stability continuing to be unleashed, Xinjiang's tourism has secured rapid growth momentum. Mr. Shohrat has introduced the local tourism industry's performance in 2018 and in the first half this year. Xinjiang will hopefully receive more than 200 million tourists this year as the numbers have been growing exponentially since the beginning of the year. We are fully confident in achieving the growth target.

刚才记者朋友提出下一步怎样进一步发展旅游，习近平总书记指出，旅游是综合性产业，是带动经济的重要动力，是传播文明、交流文化、增进友谊的桥梁，也是“兴一业旺百业”的作用。我们将按照习近平总书记关于旅游发展的重要指示精神，在新疆已取得的旅游发展成果基础之上，围绕旅游新疆战略，把新疆建设成为旅游经济发展强区和世界旅游目的地，打造新疆旅游经济性的增长极。

Regarding your question about the further development of tourism, General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out that tourism is a comprehensive industry, a major driving force in economic growth and a bridge to facilitate exchanges and foster friendship among different civilizations and cultures. If tourism is flourishing, it drives other businesses. Based on past achievements, we will follow the important instructions of General Secretary Xi Jinping on tourism development, fleshing out the strategic plan to ensure the region can flourish as a tourist economy, and working to establish it as one of the world's most popular tourist destinations. We are fully focused on developing tourism as a new economic growth point for Xinjiang.

一是坚持规划引领，进一步完善旅游发展规划和重点区域的旅游发展规划，编制重点旅游项目、重点旅游景线、重点旅游景区的专项规划。同时积极打造全域旅游，大力实施“旅游+”战略，促进旅游与文化、体育、交通以及农业和林业等融合发展。

First, we will attach great importance to the role of plans. We'll improve the tourism development master plan and development plans for key areas. Special plans will be formulated for major projects, itineraries and scenic spots. At the same time, we'll foster all-for-one tourism and implement the "Tourism plus" strategy to integrate the development of tourism, culture, sports, transportation, agriculture and the forestry industry.　

二是努力打造知名旅游品牌。我们全力推进“新疆是好地方”这个亮丽名片，自然景观、民俗旅游、历史文化、休闲度假和户外运动，也包括自驾、红色、屯垦、乡村、边境等旅游品牌，重点打造像阿勒泰山“千里画廊”生态旅游、伊犁的草原文化旅游、“丝绸之路”民俗文化旅游、环天山千里黄金旅游线等，推动新疆的旅游。网上特别红火的独库公路561公里长的风景线，依山依水依草依林，一年四季非常美丽，现在天山独库公路上一天的车流量平均达到13000余辆。我们打造的是全域旅游，形成旅游环线，同时努力提升改造我们的景区，为争创国家5A级景区打下坚实的基础。另外，我们加大传统旅游商品、民间手工艺品、土特产、农副产品的开发力度，打造具有区域特色又有自主品牌、游客喜欢的知名旅游品牌。

Second, we will focus on creating famous tourism brands. We aim to fully promote Xinjiang as a top destination for its natural scenery, folk customs, history, culture, resorts and outdoor activities. We plan to develop self-drive tours, land cultivation tours, rural tourism and border tourism. We'll explore ecological tourism in the Altai mountain range, prairie cultural tourism in Ili, folk cultural tourism along the routes of the Belt and Road initiative and golden tourism itineraries surrounding the Tianshan Mountain range. The 561-kilometer-long Duku Highway, which is flanked by mountains, prairies, rivers and forests with beautiful natural scenery all year round, is going viral online. Nowadays, the traffic load there reaches over 13,000 vehicles per day. We're developing all-for-one tourism with tourism circuits covering the entire region. At the same time, we are making efforts in improving and updating the scenic spots to lay a solid foundation for becoming 5A-tourist destinations. In addition, we are boosting the development of traditional tourism products, as well as folk handicrafts, specialties and agricultural and sideline products, in an effort to establish distinctive and popular tourism brands.

三是进一步提高旅游服务保障能力。我们围绕吃住行、游购娱的旅游元素，重点统筹疆内外线上线下，运用新技术、新媒体、新手段，促进旅游营销网络。同时加快铁路、公路、民航的建设，打通旅游交通瓶颈。

Third, we plan to upgrade our tourism services. We will focus on improving services to meet tourists' needs for catering, accommodation, transportation, sightseeing, shopping and entertainment, and apply new technologies, new media and new methods both online and offline to promote local tourism. At the same time, we aim to break transport bottlenecks by accelerating the construction of railways, highways and civil aviation networks.

四是提出疆内环起来、进出疆快起来的加密交通，解决瓶颈，效果非常好。

Fourth, we are boosting construction of transport infrastructure to build a seamless, integrated and faster transport network, and the efforts are already paying off.

下一步，要提升旅游景区的配套设施建设，特别是重点城市、旅游乡村和沿线主要干线的旅游基础服务设施建设。整理旅游市场，提升服务水平，让游客的舒适度、满意度进一步提升，让旅游产业真正成为发展最强、释放红利最大的富民产业。我们衷心欢迎在座各位记者朋友，带着你们的亲朋好友，择时到新疆旅游观光，享受大美新疆的自然景观。谢谢。

Next, we will focus on upgrading the supporting facilities within the scenic spots, especially in the major cities, major tourism towns and villages, and along main highways. We will strengthen regulation of our tourism market and improve our services to improve tourists' satisfaction. We hope that local tourism can eventually become a pillar industry releasing the greatest dividends to help people become rich. We sincerely welcome you media people to take your friends and families to visit Xinjiang and enjoy the remarkable natural scenery there. Thank you.

光明日报记者:

Guangming Daily:

听完刚才的介绍，作为在外工作的新疆人，我对家乡取得的各项成就感到特别自豪。我的问题是有关宗教工作方面的，新疆少数民族群众信仰伊斯兰教的比例很高，新疆各族信教群众宗教信仰自由的合法权益如何得到保障？谢谢。

After listening to your introduction just now, as a Xinjiang native who works outside the region, I am particularly proud of the achievements my hometown has made. My question is about religious work. A high proportion of people of the ethnic minority groups in Xinjiang believe in Islam. How are the legitimate rights and interests on freedom of religious belief guaranteed for religious believers from the various ethnic groups in Xinjiang? Thank you.

雪克来提•扎克尔:

Shohrat Zakir:

的确像记者朋友提出来的，新疆有很多信教群众。第一，自古以来有很多宗教在新疆传播，发展变化，新疆居住的世居民族信仰各种各样的宗教，比如原始宗教，还有基督教、天主教、佛教、道教，多种宗教在新疆并存。特别是从十一世纪以来，伊斯兰教在新疆传播，新疆的信教群众里面，伊斯兰教成为信教群体比较多的宗教。所以，我们尊重和保护每个人的宗教信仰自由。国家制定宪法的时候，也明确制定每一个公民有信教自由，也有不信教自由，信这个教的自由，也有信那个教的自由。所以，从法律上来说，宗教信仰是受到法律保护的。我们党确定宗教工作的基本方针是20个字，即坚持“保护合法、制止非法、遏制极端、抵制渗透、打击犯罪”。所以说，合法的宗教信仰、合法的宗教活动，在我们国家一直受到保护，信教群众可以根据自己的信仰，去从事宗教活动。包括宗教场所的数量，不仅在全国，可能在世界上很多国家人口相当的一些区域，我们的宗教活动场所还是比较多的。

Indeed, as this reporter has pointed out, there are many religious believers in Xinjiang. First, since ancient times, many religions have spread, evolved and undergone changes in Xinjiang. The ethnic groups living in Xinjiang for generations have held belief in various religions, such as primitive religions, as well as Christianity, Buddhism, and Taoism. Multiple religions have long coexisted in Xinjiang. Especially since the 11th century, Islam has been spreading. Islam has become a religion with relatively more followers in Xinjiang. Therefore, we respect and protect the freedom of religious belief of everyone. 

When the State produced the Constitution, it also clearly stipulated that every citizen enjoys the freedom to believe in, or not to believe in, any particular religion; or to believe in one religion or another. The freedom of religious belief is protected by law. The basic principles of the CPC on religious work are "protecting the lawful, banning the unlawful, containing the extremist, resisting infiltration and punishing crime." Therefore, legal religious beliefs and legal religious activities have always been protected in our country. Religious believers can engage in appropriate religious activities according to their own beliefs. Regarding the number of venues for religious activities, we have a remarkably large number of venues in comparison not only with other provincial regions in China, but also with some areas in the world where the population is similarly large.

第二，我们对宗教事务给予正常的管理和服务。我刚才讲，新疆宗教活动场所多，是因为信教群体多，包括清真寺、教堂、佛教的寺院、道教的道观，一共有2.48万座，你想一想，我们一共才2500万人左右，而且信教群众不是全体。另外，我们还有教职人员2.93万人。在这么多宗教活动场所中，其中伊斯兰教的清真寺就有2.44万多座，我听一些来自伊斯兰教作为主要宗教的国家的外宾感到吃惊地说“我们的人口差不多，你们的场所怎么比我们的还多？”我们充分尊重各民族的宗教信仰。新疆有一所正规的大学，叫伊斯兰教经学院，学生们像上正常大学一样受到本科教育。

Second, we provide management and services for religious affairs. As I said earlier, there are many venues for religious activities in Xinjiang because there are many religious groups. These venues include mosques, churches, Buddhist monasteries and Taoist temples. There are a total of 24,800 venues. Please think about this. We only have about 25 million people in Xinjiang, and not all of them are religious believers. In addition, we also have 29,300 clerical personnel. Among so many venues for religious activities, there are 24,400 mosques for the practice of Islam. I often hear from surprised foreign guests from countries where Islam is the main religion, who say "our population scale is more or less the same, but how do you manage to have more venues than we do?" We fully respect the religious beliefs of all ethnic groups. There is a university in Xinjiang called the Xinjiang Islamic Institute, where students are having undergraduate education just as in normal universities.

我们加强对宗教事务的管理和服务，不仅要求宗教活动场所，清真寺、寺院、道观、教堂要保证绝对安全，我们政府还时常拿出经费来帮助他们维修、维护，除此之外，还提供“七进两有九配备”，这可能在全世界没有一个地方能做到。

As we enhance the management and services for religious affairs, we require venues for religious activities, such as mosques, monasteries, Taoist temples and churches, to ensure absolute safety. The government often allocates funds to help them repair and maintain the facilities, in addition to ensuring basic necessities by providing "seven accesses, two conveniences, and nine equipment," which probably may not be realized anywhere else in the world.

“七进”就是宗教活动场所，第一要有水，第二要有电，第三要有通达的路，第四要有天然气，第五要有通信网络，第六要有广播和电视，第七要有自己的文化书屋，包括宗教书籍或者其他类型的书籍报刊，这些都要进清真寺。

"Seven accesses" means that, any venue for religious activities should have access to water, electricity, desirable road connectivity, supply of natural gas, a communications network, radio and television network, and its own cultural bookstore with religious books or other types of books, newspapers and magazines. All of these need to be available in a mosque.

“两有”，到清真寺里面念经的大都是穆斯林群众，他们需要在念经以前先净身，这是他们的宗教所必须的，一天要进五次清真寺，要净五次身，我们给他们建一个洗浴的地方。此外，我们建了水冲式厕所，能有方便之地。水冲式厕所在城市里面都有，在广大农村是做不到的，我们就给宗教场所提供这些方便。

"Two conveniences" means that ablution rooms and water closets are built. Muslims attending a mosque need to perform ritual ablutions before prayers -- this is what their religion requires. As they pray five times a day, they have to cleanse themselves five times - so we build a place for them to do the ablutions. In addition, we have built water closets. The flushing toilets are easily available in the city, but they can hardly be found in the vast rural areas. However, we make sure to provide these conveniences at venues for religious activities.

“九配备”，宗教场所是公共活动场所，人在里面，有的人可能有心脏病或者突发的病，我们免费提供医药箱，还有电子显示屏，也提供电脑，现在是网络时代，人人都离不开电脑。同时，根据寺院、教堂、清真寺的大小，配备电风扇或者空调，在城市里面，特别是主麻清真寺这样人聚居多的地方。在小寺院里，提供电风扇，这样在里面做礼拜的人不至于闷热。另外，我们要求必须配备消防设施，因为是公共场所，大量的信教群众聚居在那里，要有消防设施。还要有天然气，烧水也方便，还有自动的饮水设备。有些教堂清真寺提供鞋套，下雨了踩着泥巴进来，鞋套保证卫生。还有储物柜，把东西放在柜子里面。这些都是无微不至、关怀备至。

"Nine equipment " means that nine kinds of facilities and amenities should be provided. As venues for religious activities are sites for public activities, some people may suffer a heart attack or sudden illness, so we provide medical kits free of charge, as well as electronic displays, and computers. At the same time, according to the size of monasteries, churches and mosques, we equip them with electric fans or air conditioners, especially for the main mosque of a city used for the Friday communal prayer where more people convene. In the smaller mosques, we will provide electric fans, so that people who pray inside will not feel stiflingly hot. What's more, we require that fire-fighting facilities must be equipped, because these are public venues, where a large number of religious believers gather, and, for their safety, there must be means to fight any outbreak of fire. There is also natural gas for conveniently boiling water, or automatic drinking water equipment. Some churches and mosques provide shoe covers -- when it's raining and people step inside with muddy shoes, these covers can ensure cleanliness. There are also lockers for people to store things. These details are meticulously carried out and show our care.

信教群众也是人民群众的一部分，让他们有一个非常干净、舒适、良好的环境，使宗教活动场所经常出入的人也能够有一个好的环境，保障了信教群众正常需求。

The religious believers are part of the wider society. Great efforts have been made to create a highly clean, comfortable and good environment for them. By so doing, we have guaranteed the normal needs and demands of religious believers.

所以刚才问到宗教信仰如何得到保障，一是在法律上保证他信仰自由和不信仰自由，信这个宗教的自由或者信别的宗教的自由。二是政府保证他的活动场所安全、尽可能舒适，让每一个信教群众感觉到生活在这样一个社会里，生活在中国这样一个社会主义国家，他们能够充分享受到应当享受的权利。

Therefore, regarding the question just asked about how freedom of religious belief is guaranteed, we can see that first, China legally guarantees one's freedom to believe in, or not to believe in, any particular religion; or to believe in one religion or another. Second, the government has exerted great efforts to guarantee that all venues for religious activities are safe and as comfortable as possible, so that religious believers will feel that by living in such a society and living in a socialist country like China, they can fully enjoy the rights they deserve.

经济日报记者:

Economic Daily:

新疆特别是南疆地区是国家确立的集中连片贫困地区，脱贫攻坚任务比较重，请问新疆如何确保如期完成脱贫攻坚任务，确保与全国一道全面建成小康社会。谢谢。

Xinjiang, especially southern Xinjiang, is a contiguous poor area, which requires much work on poverty alleviation. My question is: How will Xinjiang achieve the goal of getting rid of poverty on schedule, and building a moderately prosperous society in all respects along with the whole country? Thank you.

雪克来提•扎克尔:

Shohrat Zakir:

这个问题也是大家非常关注的问题，请张春林副主席给大家作一个答复。

This question is of great public concern. I would like to invite Mr. Zhang to answer you.

张春林:

Zhang Chunlin:

谢谢这位记者朋友关心我们新疆经济发展，关心我们的脱贫攻坚。新疆是国家确定的集中连片特困地区，特别是南疆四地州是国家确定的深度扶贫“三区三州”之一，脱贫攻坚任务相当繁重。2014年，全区建档立卡的贫困人口总规模是79.31万户313.18万人，贫困村3668个、贫困县35个。党的十八大以来，在以习近平同志为核心的党中央亲切关怀下，在国家部委和19个对口援疆省市的大力支持下，全区上下提高政治站位，全面贯彻习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想和习近平总书记关于脱贫攻坚的重要论述，以对党、对人民、对历史高度负责的态度，以顽强拼搏、坚韧不拔的毅力攻坚克难，取得了脱贫攻坚的阶段性成效。2014年到2018年，新疆累计实现了58.87万户231.47万贫困人口脱贫、2131个贫困村退出、13个贫困县摘帽。截至2018年年底，新疆贫困发生率已经由2013年底的19.4%下降到6.1%。

Thanks for your question about Xinjiang's economic development and poverty alleviation work. Xinjiang, especially the four prefectures in southern Xinjiang — Hotan, Kashgar, Aksu and Kizilsu Kirgiz, is indeed a contiguous poor area, facing great challenges in poverty alleviation. In 2014, a total of 3,131,800 people from 793,100 households were registered as living beneath the poverty line. Xinjiang had 3,668 poor villages and 35 poor counties at that time. Since the 18th CPC National Congress, under the leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, with the strong support from government departments and 19 provinces and municipalities providing paired aid for Xinjiang, the region has fully implemented the Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and General Secretary Xi's major expositions on poverty alleviation. Showing great responsibility and perseverance, we have overcome difficulties and achieved initial progress in poverty alleviation. From 2014 to 2018, we lifted a total of 2,314,700 people from 588, 700 households, 2,131 poor villages and 13 poor counties out of poverty. By the end of 2018, the poverty headcount ratio had dropped from 19.4% in 2013 to 6.1%.

经过五年的努力，截至到2018年底，全区没有脱贫的贫困户已经减少到20.44万户，没有脱贫的人口减少到81.71万人，没有脱贫的贫困村减少到1537个，没有摘帽的贫困县减少到22个，北疆、东疆所有县都实现了脱贫。

With our efforts in the past five years, there were only 204,400 households and 817,100 people living under the poverty line at the end of 2018. The number of poor villages and poor counties has been cut to 1,537 and 22 respectively. All counties in northern and eastern Xinjiang were lifted out of poverty.

回顾这五年来，特别是党的十八大以来，我区在脱贫攻坚的实践中积累了成功的经验和做法，这里我给大家介绍五个方面的经验。

In particular, since the 18th CPC National Congress, Xinjiang has gained a wealth of experience in poverty alleviation work. These can be summarized as follows:

第一，加强党的领导，压实各地脱贫攻坚的责任。全区上下都把脱贫攻坚作为最大的民生工程和重要的政治任务。从自治区到地、到县、到乡、到村这五级党组织和党委政府都切实担起主体责任，党委书记负起第一责任，强化组织领导。在自治区层面，成立了以陈全国书记、雪克来提·扎克尔主席任双组长的扶贫开发领导小组和深度贫困地区脱贫攻坚领导小组，52个省级领导联系贫困县、贫困村、贫困户，特别是自治区党委书记陈全国同志、自治区主席雪克来提·扎克尔同志带头遍访全区所有贫困县，亲自指导做好脱贫攻坚工作。同时，自治区还明确一名党委副书记、一名政府副主席分管脱贫攻坚工作。我在政府作为常务副主席，主要任务不仅要抓经济工作，主要精力要抓好脱贫攻坚工作。同时我们加强了脱贫队伍的建设，在南疆四地州，地、县、乡三级都增派了一名党委副书记，同政府副职一道，共同抓好脱贫攻坚工作。新疆还有一个重要特色，就是对全区3668个贫困村派驻第一书记和“访惠聚”工作队，每个工作队5-7人，帮助贫困村开展工作。全国普遍派出了第一书记，我们不仅派驻了第一书记，而且派驻了工作队，统筹抓好维护稳定和脱贫攻坚工作，做到了所有贫困村派驻工作队的全覆盖。

First, all localities have shouldered their due responsibilities under the strong leadership of the CPC. Xinjiang made poverty alleviation a top priority and the paramount livelihood project. Party organizations at autonomous region, prefecture, county, township and village levels in Xinjiang have actively participated in the poverty alleviation work. Party secretaries shoulder the most important task, and work to enhance the CPC leadership. Xinjiang also set up a Leading Group of Poverty Alleviation and Development, and a Leading Group of Poverty Alleviation in Poverty-Stricken Areas, with Chen Quanguo, secretary of the CPC Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Regional Committee and Shohrat Zakir, chairman of the Xinjiang regional government, as the leading figures. A total of 52 leaders at the provincial level have been active in the work of connecting poor counties, villages and households. In particular, Mr. Chen and Mr. Shohrat Zakir have visited all the poor counties and guided the poverty alleviation work themselves. Meanwhile, a deputy Party secretary and a vice chairman of the regional government have been appointed to be in charge of the poverty alleviation work. For example, as the executive vice chairman of the government, I make economic development and poverty alleviation work as my top priority. In the four prefectures in southern Xinjiang — Hotan, Kashgar, Aksu and Kizilsu Kirgiz, a deputy Party secretary was also required to work on poverty alleviation with a vice head of the local governments at prefecture, county and township levels. In addition, Xinjiang sent a number of major secretaries and working groups (including five to seven members) to 3,668 poor villages to help with the local poverty alleviation work. 

第二，坚持目标标准，强化政策保障和资金保障。我们把资金投入作为打赢脱贫攻坚战的重要保障，协调各方力量，调动资源和力量，确保脱贫攻坚的投入。2016年，我们脱贫攻坚的资金不足40亿，近年来，我们逐年加大扶贫资金的投入，这里有两个数字，跟大家作个汇报。2018年全区各类扶贫资金突破300亿，达到334.11亿。2019年上半年，全区落实的扶贫资金381.52亿。其中安排南疆四地州的扶贫资金是359.46亿，占整个扶贫资金总量的94.22%，我们把资金集中投向了脱贫攻坚最难的南疆四地州。同时我们加强了政策保障，不仅出台了打赢脱贫攻坚战的决定，而且出台了《新疆维吾尔自治区“十三五”脱贫攻坚规划》《南疆四地州深度贫困地区脱贫攻坚实施方案（2018-2020）》。

Second, we will adhere to objective standards to strengthen policy support and ensure availability of adequate funds. Budgetary input is crucial to winning the battle against poverty, and we are coordinating various resources and promoting our strength to ensure budget sufficiency. In 2016, the budgetary input for Xinjiang's poverty-alleviation work totaled less than 4 billion yuan. However, in recent years, we have been increasing the amount. I will share two of these numbers in this regard with you today. In 2018, all categories of budgetary input for poverty-alleviation work in Xinjiang reached 33.41 billion yuan. In the first half of 2019, a total of 38.152 billion yuan has been channeled into poverty alleviation, among which those for four prefectures in southern Xinjiang reached 35.946 billion yuan, or 94.22% of the total. As the most severe poverty-stricken areas, these four prefectures have become the priority of our poverty-relief funding. At the same time, we have strengthened policy support. This is demonstrated not only by our determination to win the battle against poverty, but also through drawing up the "13th Five-Year Plan for poverty alleviation in Xinjiang" and the "Implementation Plan (2018-2020) of Poverty Alleviation in Poverty-stricken Areas in Four Prefectures in Southern Xinjiang.

第三，坚持精准扶贫，精准脱贫。“七个一批”的脱贫攻坚取得了明显成效。我们按照习近平总书记提出的“六个精准”的要求，坚持因地制宜、一户一策、精准到人，制定了“七个一批”的扶贫措施，特别是产业扶贫、就业扶贫取得了突破性进展，找到了就业扶贫、产业扶贫的路子。在这里，我借此机会把“七个一批”作个介绍。一是转移就业扶持一批。我们实施了三年十万人的扶贫计划，将富余劳动力向北疆转移、向内地转移、向兵团转移，目前已经实现了9.65万贫困人口转移就业，带动了28.95万贫困人口脱贫。

Third, we will continue to adhere to targeted poverty alleviation policies. The policy of "seven paths to alleviate poverty" has delivered solid progress in Xinjiang. Based on General Secretary Xi Jinping's concept of "targeted poverty alleviation in six aspects", designed to adapt poverty relief measures to local conditions, we are following a policy of the policy of "seven paths to alleviate poverty," and have made breakthroughs in leveraging local industry and employment to alleviate poverty. Now, I will introduce these "seven paths to alleviate poverty" in detail.  First, is to alleviate poverty by relocating surplus employment. We have been implementing a plan to relocate 100,000 surplus laborers to northern Xinjiang, to the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps., as well as to other parts of China. Up to now, the employment of 96,500 people living in poverty through relocation has helped lift a total of 289,500 people out of poverty.　

二是通过发展产业扶持一批。我们大力发展纺织服装、电子产品组装、鞋帽、箱包等劳动密集型产业，发展特色养殖业、种植业、民族手工业、乡村旅游等产业，大规模建设卫星工厂扶贫车间，促进了贫困群众就近就地就业，已经实现了37.24万人稳定脱贫。和田地区和田县，这一个县今年上半年就引进了制鞋企业27家，就制鞋企业这一个产业，就带动了和田县1.1万人就业，其中贫困人口就占到3460人。7月24日到25日，又在和田地区召开了制鞋大会，已经有300家企业云集和田，商讨如何建设鞋都的问题。在和田生产的鞋子已经出口到俄罗斯和欧洲，俄罗斯的朋友们、欧洲的朋友们就有部分居民能够穿上和田地区贫困户制造的鞋子。

Second, is the way to alleviate poverty by supporting the development of local industry. We have been focusing on labor-intensive industries, such as textiles, garments, and the assembling of electronic products. We have also been developing jobs in the planting and breeding sectors, folk handicrafts, as well as rural tourism. Poverty-alleviation workshops have been built to help people living in poverty find jobs in places close to home. A total 372,400 people have been lifted out of poverty. In the first half of 2019, Hotan prefecture alone has introduced 27 shoe manufacturing businesses. This industry has created 11,000 employment opportunities in the county, among which 3,460 employees previously lived in poverty. On July 24 and 25, a convention on shoe manufacturing was held in Hotan, gathering more than 30,000 enterprises. Shoes manufactured there are now being exported to Russia and parts of Europe. 

三是我们通过把土地的收益用于向贫困人口购买劳务，普惠所有贫困人口，已带动51.21万人就业。

The third route is to use land revenue to pay the labor of people living in poverty. As all the people living in poverty is qualified for this policy, a total of 512,100 job opportunities have been created.

四是通过转为护边员扶持一批，就是将沿边的深度贫困县上万名贫困户转化为护边员，带动5万余人就业。

Fourth is to create job opportunities in the civil service, such as border guards. This is aimed at people in poverty-stricken counties along the border. So far, some 50,000 people have found jobs in this regard.

五是通过生态补偿扶持一批，主要是在贫困户中选聘草原的管护员、生态护理员，已经带动5.8万人稳定脱贫。

Fifth is to promote poverty alleviation through ecological compensation, and this is targeted at grassland rangers. Around 58,000 people have been lifted out of poverty through this approach.

六是通过易地扶贫搬迁扶持一批。我们对生产条件恶劣、环境脆弱的，像沙漠边缘、高山深处的老百姓有3.5万户、16万人，转移到县城工业园区，通过搬迁实现了搬得出、稳得住、能脱贫。

Sixth is to relocate people from inhospitable areas. A total of 35,000 households, involving 160,000 people in total, have been relocated to industrial parks in counties, away from areas with a fragile environment, such as places around deserts and mountainous regions. Such relocation has greatly contributed to poverty alleviation.

七是通过社会保障兜底来脱贫一批。主要是对32万重度残疾人、丧失劳动力家庭的、鳏寡孤独的老人，我们财政每年拿出20亿资金，准备连续10年，这是最后的社会保障兜底。前面“六个一批”已经发挥了很好的作用，社会保障兜底是最后一个兜底的措施。

Seventh is to ensure that social security policies meet basic needs of the people living in poverty. This is aimed at some 320,000 people with severe disability, as well as the elderly with no kin to support them. In 10 years from now, we will prepare 2 billion yuan out of our fiscal income every year and use it to back up our social security policies.

第四，实施三个加大力度，补齐基础设施短板。我们“两不愁、三保障”就是不愁吃、不愁穿，教育有保障、医疗有保障、住房有保障。一是在新疆，贫困家庭的孩子从学前三年教育到高中阶段的教育都是免费教育，享受了公平的、优质的教育。贫困家庭孩子都能上得起学，没有辍学，阻断了贫困代际传递。二是加大健康扶贫力度，我们不仅建立了普惠性城乡医疗保险制度，现在老百姓看病很方便，从自治区到地、到县、到乡，都有医院和卫生院，每个村都设立了医务室，做到了“小病不出村，大病不出县”，包括新疆22个深度贫困县，在对口援疆省市的帮助支持下，我们的医院都能够实施心脏的手术。我举一个例子，我们自治区发改委一名干部，是驻村工作队干部，得了突发性心脏病，要安装支架，他当时在荒地镇，本来想到乌鲁木齐医院，因为是突发，不可能送到自治区医院，自治区医院很快通过远程会诊，进行了手术。类似这样的例子还很多。三是加大了基础设施建设的力度，加快农村道路、安全饮水和住房建设，改善了生产生活条件。

Fourth, we have intensified efforts to improve access to education, medical care and infrastructure. We made it our goal to ensure Xinjiang people do not have to worry about food and clothing and have guaranteed access to education, medical care and housing. First, children from poor families in Xinjiang now enjoy free, equal and high-quality education from kindergarten to high school. Second, we have set up a universal urban and rural medical insurance system. Local people can receive convenient medical treatment at multi-level hospitals from countryside to big city. Thanks to the help of other provinces and municipalities, even hospitals at 22 extremely poor counties are able to offer heart surgery. Let me tell you a story. One of our colleagues suffered a heart attack while working at a rural town and needed to have a stent installed in his heart immediately. Instead of sending him to big hospitals in Urumqi, a local hospital finished the surgery through telemedicine and remote consultation. Third, we have improved working and living conditions by accelerating construction of rural roads, provision of safe drinking water and comfortable housing.　

第五，统筹各方力量，形成了“四位一体”的大扶贫格局。全国的“三位一体”是专业扶贫、行业扶贫、社会扶贫，新疆又加了一个援疆扶贫，构成了专业扶贫、行业扶贫、社会扶贫和援疆扶贫“四位一体”的大扶贫格局。我们自治区厅级单位有249家定点帮扶279个贫困村，16个中央企业定点帮扶27个贫困县，北疆、东疆有33个相对发达的县帮扶南疆四地州27个县，有1240家企业帮扶1276个贫困村。同时，有112万名干部与169万户基层群众结对认亲，深化了援疆扶贫。我们做了一个统计，2019年上半年，援疆资金投入扶贫就达到了122.68个亿，实施了扶贫项目970个。

Fifth, we have coordinated efforts to alleviate poverty. Besides professional, industrial and social poverty alleviation, Xinjiang also has relief aid from other provinces and municipalities. A total of 249 units at autonomous region department level in Xinjiang paired up with 279 poverty-stricken villages; 16 central state-owned enterprises assisted 27 poverty-stricken counties; 33 relatively developed counties in northern and eastern parts of Xinjiang helped 27 counties in the southern part; 1,240 enterprises provided support to 1,276 poor villages; 1.12 million officials paired up with 1.69 million households to help them get rid of poverty. During the first half of this year, 12.268 billion yuan of Xinjiang-aid funds was spent on poverty alleviation through 970 projects.

以上就是我们五个方面的基本经验。目前，我们的脱贫攻坚已经取得了决定性成效。在南疆四地州22个深度贫困县，今年计划脱贫12个县，明年脱贫10个县。在这关键的时刻，2019年6月下旬，自治区党委专门召开了自治区党委九届七次全体会议，就脱贫攻坚专门召开了一次全体会议，会上认真贯彻习近平总书记在重庆解决“两不愁三保障”突出问题座谈会上的重要指示精神，专题安排部署脱贫攻坚工作，会议提出了“九个聚力攻坚”，啃下脱贫攻坚的硬骨头。

These five points set out here are our basic experience. At present, our poverty alleviation efforts have yielded decisive results. Among 22 deep poverty-stricken counties in southern Xinjiang, we plan to lift 12 out of poverty in 2019 and another 10 in 2020. In order to implement the important instructions of General Secretary Xi Jinping when he presided over a symposium about solving prominent problems, including meeting the basic needs of food and clothing and guaranteeing compulsory education, basic medical care and housing, which was held in Chongqing on April 16, 2019, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Committee of the CPC held a plenary meeting in late June, at which nine directions were clarified for the next-phase of work concerning poverty alleviation.

“九个聚力攻坚”，一是在补齐短板上脱贫攻坚。我们主要从薄弱环节抓起，经过统计和最后的摸底排查，全新疆还有9355户贫困户还没有安全住房，目前已经全面开工。同时我们通过摸底，全新疆目前还有5个县24个行政村没有通动力电，生活用电都通了，动力电就是机器能使用，要使用洗衣机、电冰箱，我们已经安排资金对喀什地区的塔什库尔干县、叶城县、和田的于田县、和田县等县进行最后的攻关。现在工程正在陆续开工建设，计划在2020年6月底实现最后通动力电，历史性地解决新疆所有行政村通动力电的问题。同时我们还加快了南疆煤改电工程，新疆煤炭资源虽然很丰富，但是南北疆煤炭资源分布不平衡，我们今年决定实施南疆喀什、和田、克州三地州的煤改电工程，电网的配套项目已经全面开工，33万余户煤改电入户工程已经全面招标，力争在年底完成。我们将在改善南疆的供电、实现清洁生产、改善人民生活方面取得新的突破。二是在精准施策上聚力攻坚。三是在资金项目上聚力攻坚。四是在政策保障上聚力攻坚。五是在统筹力量上聚力攻坚。六是在问题整改上聚力攻坚。七是在防止返贫上聚力攻坚。八是在扶智上聚力攻坚。九是在夯实基础上聚力攻坚。

The first direction is to address identified weak links. We decided this was the necessary starting point for our ongoing work. After an investigation, we found a total of 9,355 households in Xinjiang still lacked safe housing. Construction of the necessary facilities has been started. At the same time, we found that 24 villages in five counties lacked any power supply, though they all have their own private electricity supplies. The power supply refers to the electricity generated for an electric appliance such as washing machine and refrigerator. We have allocated funds for counties in the Kashgar region. The project is underway. It is planned to ensure power supply is made available by the end of June 2020, enabling all villages in Xinjiang to have access to this utility. At the same time, we have also accelerated the coal-to-electricity project in southern Xinjiang. Although the coal resources in Xinjiang are very rich, there is an imbalance in distribution between north and south. We have decided to implement the coal-to-electricity project in Kashgar Prefecture, Hotan Prefecture and Kizilsu Kirghiz Autonomous Prefecture in southern Xinjiang this year. The supporting projects related to the power grid are underway, and the coal-to-electricity projects involving more than 330,000 households have been put out to tender, and we will strive to complete them by the end of the year. We will make breakthroughs in improving the power supply in southern Xinjiang, achieving cleaner production, and improving people's lives. 

The second direction is to actively focus on targeted measures. The third direction is to focus on efficient project funding. The fourth is to put into place a strong policy guarantee mechanism. The fifth is to improve overall planning, the sixth to improve our abilities in solving problems, the seventh to work out measures to prevent those who have escaped poverty from falling back into that condition again, the eighth to realize the goal of poverty alleviation through knowledge development, while the ninth is to solidify the foundations for all our work.

我们脱贫攻坚的时间是倒计时计算的，今天距离新疆完成脱贫攻坚时间还有520天。在这520天中，我们要一手抓脱贫，一手抓返贫，坚决攻克22个深度贫困县的堡垒，巩固已经脱贫摘帽贫困县的成果，抓好非贫困县的脱贫成果，切实防止返贫，巩固工作成效。

We have been counting down the days to achieving the final goal of eradicating poverty. Today, there are 520 days to go. In these 520 days, we must work hard to lift people out of poverty, and also make sure they never fall back into being poor again. There are 22 deep poverty-stricken counties. We must help them all get out of poverty. And in the meantime, we must consolidate the achievements already made in helping poverty-stricken counties to improve their conditions. Also, we must do a good job in those counties that have got rid of poverty to ensure they can maintain this state.

我们在防止返贫上也采取了具体措施。一是完善扶贫数据信息功能。不仅摸清了脱贫攻坚的底数，还对每个贫困户建了电子档案。通过数据信息化手段，防止返贫，制定“一户一策”的方案，来推动脱贫攻坚。

We have already taken concrete measures to prevent any return to poverty. The first is to improve related database by establishing electronic archives for every poor household. Through data informatization, it means we can formulate targeted plans to promote poverty alleviation in the future.

二是严格退出标准，同时对已经摘帽的贫困县、贫困村、贫困户实行“四个不摘”，摘帽不摘政策、摘帽不摘责任、摘帽不摘监管、摘帽不摘帮扶。继续帮扶，特别是对非贫困县，虽然不是贫困县，但是过去有贫困人口、有贫困村，我们查漏补缺，查找补助环节，下半年准备安排资金，即补短板、补弱项，巩固脱贫攻坚的成果。在防止返贫上，更重要的是加强群众工作，强化干部培训、贫困户技能培训，刚才雪克来提主席和艾尔肯常委介绍了，通过职业技能教育培训中心，来加强各民族群众的职业技能培训，激发内生动力。

The second is to strengthen the mechanism for determining whether people have been lifted out of poverty. For those poor counties that have already got rid of poverty, we never slacken our efforts. We continue to support them and provide them with a series of favorable policies. In the second half of the year, we will prepare to allocate funds to address weak links so as to consolidate the achievements made in poverty alleviation. In order to prevent any slackening in progress, it is more important to mobilize ordinary people, strengthen the training of officials and promote skills training of poor households. As Mr. Shohrat Zakir and Mr. Alken Tuniaz introduced just now, we will strengthen the occupational training of all ethnic groups to stimulate endogenous motivation with the help of the vocational education and training centers.

通过这几年的脱贫攻坚实践，我们对脱贫攻坚充满信心，因为我们找到了脱贫攻坚的路子，特别是在就业扶贫上取得了突破，在产业扶贫上取得了突破。南疆四地州最困难的是和田地区，现在和田地区在养殖产业上已经形成了规模化的养殖，他们从四川引进的养兔产业已经达到了2000万余只，依托山东东阿阿胶集团的优势，已经发展10万余头养驴产业。新疆大力发展林果业，我们新疆的红枣和核桃是全国最好、最优质的品种，都有力地推进了脱贫攻坚的进程。所以我们对脱贫攻坚充满着信心。

After years of practice, we are confident in the effectiveness of our poverty relief efforts because we have found the right path. In particular, major breakthroughs have been made in poverty reduction through employment and industrial development. Hotan is the least developed area among the four prefectures in southern Xinjiang. Now, Hotan has launched a large-scale livestock and poultry breeding industry, having introduced over 20 million rabbits from Sichuan province and over 100,000 donkeys through cooperation with Dong’e Ejiao Co Ltd in Shandong province. Xinjiang actively promotes forestry and fruit farming. The red dates and walnuts grown in Xinjiang top the nation in quality. All of these efforts have contributed to poverty reduction. And we are confident in its success.

我们坚信，通过最后520天的艰苦努力，新疆一定能够脱贫，一定能够同全国一道进入小康社会。欢迎各位记者到新疆所有的贫困村，无论是脱贫的还是没有脱贫的，都欢迎你们实地检查我们的工作成效，我们更欢迎2021年上半年，也就是脱贫攻坚完成的时候，请各位记者到新疆实地考察采访。我就汇报到这里，谢谢大家。

We believe that, after a prolonged period of hard work lasting 520 days, by the end of 2020, Xinjiang is bound to shake off poverty and build a moderately prosperous society in all respects in tandem with the rest of the country. We welcome you to visit the villages in Xinjiang, either those who have alleviated poverty or those that have not, and check our progress. We also welcome you to visit Xinjiang again in the first half of 2021 when we have won the battle against poverty. I will conclude here. Thank you.

胡凯红:

Hu Kaihong:

最后请雪克来提主席再讲几句。

Lastly, allow me to give the floor to Mr. Shohrat Zakir.

雪克来提•扎克尔:

Shohrat Zakir:

非常感谢。刚才记者们耐心地听我们讲了两个小时的情况介绍，很多记者提出了非常好的问题，全社会关注的问题，全世界都在关注的一些问题，我们也非常高兴地回答了这些问题。我想利用这个机会感谢各位媒体对我们新疆长期的关注、关心、支持和厚爱，感谢你们。同时，我也非常感谢国务院新闻办公室给我们创造这个条件，让我们把新疆推介给全国、全世界。新疆在七十年当中发生了巨大的变化，很多事情都是从无到有、从贫困到富裕、从落后到现代化，这个过程是我自己经历的，也是我的同事们经历的，我们很骄傲生活在这个时代。我们坚信在以习近平同志为核心的党中央的领导下，在习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的指引下，我们新疆会一天比一天美好。我们也热情地欢迎各位媒体朋友们，通过你们向全国、全世界所有对新疆有兴趣的朋友们宣传介绍，到新疆看一看。我们新疆是个美丽的地方，我们对自己的家乡充满了热爱和骄傲。在新中国成立七十周年之际，我们将在你们的关注下把新疆建设得更加美好，为新中国成立一百年创造出更辉煌的成就。谢谢。

Thank you very much. Thank you for your attention for the past two hours. Some of you have raised very good questions that are of wide interest. We're glad to answer them. I want to take this opportunity to thank you for your longstanding interest and support for Xinjiang. I also want to thank the State Council Information Office for giving us this opportunity to introduce Xinjiang to the rest of the country and the rest of the world. Starting from scratch, Xinjiang has changed greatly in the past 70 years. My colleagues and I have experienced Xinjiang's transformation from poverty to prosperity, and from underdevelopment to modernization. And we're proud to live in this era. Under the leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core as well as under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, we believe Xinjiang will become better with each passing day. We welcome you to Xinjiang and hopefully, through your reports, more people will come and visit. Xinjiang is a beautiful place and we deeply love and proud of it. As we celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, we hope that Xinjiang will become better and contribute more to the country’s achievements 30 years later when we celebrate the PRC's centennial. Thank you.

胡凯红:

Hu Kaihong:

今天的发布会到此结束，谢谢雪克来提主席，谢谢艾尔肯和张春林副主席，谢谢各位。

This is the end of today's press conference. Thank you, Mr. Shohrat Zakir, Mr. Alken Tuniaz and Mr. Zhang Chunlin. Thank you for coming.