Xi pins hope on Xinjiang construction corps for local stability

Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) inspects a militia battalion of the sixth division of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, April 29, 2014. Xi made an inspection tour in Xinjiang from April 27 to 30. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

President Xi Jinping has stressed the role of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps in maintaining stability and promoting ethnic harmony as local people vowed resistance to terrorism after a fatal blast hit a railway station.

"More efforts are needed to build the corps into a stabilizer of the country's border areas, a melting pot that integrates various ethnic groups as well as a model region that showcases advanced productivity and culture," said Xi during his four-day inspection in Xinjiang.

Xi, whose remarks were carried in a detailed statement on his inspection released Saturday, said the corps played a vital role in constructing the border areas and guarding the country's territorial boundaries.

Since the 1980s, Xi has been leaving foot prints all over Xinjiang in his numerous visits and inspections. Last year, he made 30-plus instructions concerning the region.

The corps, safeguarding nearly one third of the borderline in Xinjiang, will mark the 60th anniversary of its establishment this year.

"The existence and development of the corps is absolutely not an temporary improvisation but a long-term strategy. Under the new situation, the work of the corps can only be strengthened, not weakened," Xi said.

Over the past 60 years, the corps, which shoulders the dual task of production and security, has transformed the vast bare wasteland into new oasis and built a number of modern towns in the region.

Citing a letter written to Xi by a veteran from the corps which expressed the soldiers' passion and love for Xinjiang and the corps, Xi vowed that the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee will keep paying attention to and supporting the growth of the corps.

During the trip, Xi visited a farm run by the corps and talked with local soldiers at a symposium.

Remembering serving his duty amid winter frosts and mosquito bites in summer in the past, Ma Junwu, a young soldier, said living conditions improved a lot over the years thanks to the support of the central government, which made many young people at the corps willing to stay.

"I'm determined to defend the country's borders here all my life," Ma said, winning Xi's applause.

TERRORISM CONDEMNED

Two suspects and a citizen were killed in Wednesday's railway station terror attack in Urumqi, the region's capital, according to the police.

During the inspection tour, Xi said safeguarding the country's unity and fighting separatism are of the upmost importance and in the basic interests of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang.

"The battle to combat violence and terrorism will not allow even a moment of slackness, and decisive actions must be taken to resolutely suppress the terrorists' rampant momentum," Xi said.

Xi's comments were echoed by Xinjiang residents from all walks of life, including Li Guoxian working at the Urumqi railway police bureau, as they called for a tightened fight against terrorism in wake of the blast.

Three of Li's fellow officers got injured in the terrorist attack. In the following International Workers' Day holiday, they did not take a day off because they had to intensify security measures after the attack.

"It is outrageous!" said Li. "For those ruthless terrorists, we must take strong measures and strike them hard!"

Cui Zhiliang works in Kashgar's investment promotion bureau. A big part of his work is to deal with ethnic minorities.

"The terrorist wanted to scare us, to undermine ethnic solidarity, but we will tell them that we will not be terrorized and the bond between different ethnic groups is indestructible," said Cui.

Memetursun Yasin, a taxi driver in Xinjiang's Hotan city, said he believes life will be better in the future and he does not want his stable life to be destroyed by a small group of terrorists.

Kurbanjan Weli, a postgraduate student from North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power, penned a letter signed by another 10 Uygur students to denounce the terrorists.

During the visit, Xi stressed that people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang are "our brothers and sisters," and those religious extremists and terrorists are "our common enemies."

"We should bring our true hearts to our brothers and sisters while striking our common enemies with sharp and relentless efforts," Xi said.