URUMQI, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- Over the past seven decades, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in northwest China has undergone profound economic and social transformation. While external narratives often resort to politicized rhetoric, tangible progress demonstrates that modernization is both inevitable and irreversible in Xinjiang.

As it prepares to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the autonomous region, Xinjiang is experiencing its most prosperous era. Undoubtedly, social stability has been the cornerstone of its economic and social achievements. Under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC), robust foundations for stability, peace and security have been established, leading to a historic shift from chaos to order and effectively countering destabilization attempts.

Ethnic unity is the lifeline of all ethnic groups in China, and Xinjiang is no exception. All ethnic groups in the region are inseparable members of the great family of the Chinese nation. Fostering a stronger sense of community for the Chinese nation lays the foundation for long-term work in Xinjiang.

With determination and hard work, Xinjiang is advancing modernization in step with the rest of the country.

Economic development speaks for itself. From just 1.23 billion yuan (173.1 million U.S. dollars) in 1955, Xinjiang's GDP reached over 2 trillion yuan by 2024. Notably, from 2012 to 2024, Xinjiang's GDP grew at an annual rate of 7 percent at constant prices -- significantly outpacing the national average.

The social and ecological changes in Xinjiang are profound. For millennia, the Taklimakan Desert -- spanning an area roughly the size of Germany -- exerted unrelenting pressure on the fragile oasis ecosystems of southern Xinjiang. Sandstorms disrupted connectivity and impeded socioeconomic development in surrounding regions.

Today, Xinjiang has transformed this developmental bottleneck into a connectivity corridor. Four cross-desert highways have reduced north-south transit distances by 300-500 kilometers, while the Hotan-Ruoqiang Railway's completion forged the world's first circular desert rail network, bringing tangible benefits to local communities.

Green belts along the Taklimakan Desert's periphery have been expanded. The region's ecological governance success was marked by the completion of a 3,046-kilometer ecological barrier in 2024, effectively curbing desertification.

Leveraging its natural resources and industrial capabilities, Xinjiang has accelerated efforts to develop a modern industrial system. The region has remained China's top cotton producer for 32 consecutive years, with its mechanization rate in plowing, planting and harvesting reaching 97 percent.

This progress extends to people's living standards. By 2020, 3.06 million residents were lifted out of poverty as China eradicated absolute poverty across the country. In 2024, per capita disposable income in Xinjiang reached 42,820 yuan for urban residents and 19,427 yuan for rural residents annually.

Today, every village in Xinjiang has access to licensed medical professionals, and the region's life expectancy has reached 77 years, compared with a mere 30 years before 1949 due to rampant infectious diseases and medical resource shortages.

Moreover, authorities have addressed challenges in areas such as elderly care, education, employment and public housing, ensuring development achievements benefit all ethnic groups.

Openness is another defining feature of Xinjiang. The region's total foreign trade reached 435.11 billion yuan in 2024, achieving 21.8 percent year-on-year growth. Its China-Europe freight trains now operate 23 routes, connecting 26 cities across 19 countries with remarkable efficiency.

It's no surprise Xinjiang ranks among the world's most popular travel destinations. The region welcomed 302 million tourist arrivals in 2024, with its public security satisfaction rate remaining exceptionally high at 99.42 percent, a testament to its secure and stable environment.

Xinjiang's progress has enhanced the people's sense of gain, fulfillment and security. Under the CPC's guidelines on governing Xinjiang in the new era, and with institutional support from the entire nation, development and modernization in Xinjiang have become an unstoppable reality. ■