Xinjiang to speed up manufacturing sector transformation and upgrading: regional government

Xinjiang in Northwest China will promote technological innovations and manufacturing sector upgrade, amid the country's efforts to optimize and adjust industrial structure by replacing low-end production, according to a local official on Tuesday.

"We will vigorously introduce new technologies and new development models so that they can empower enterprises to embrace digital transformation in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region," said Erkin Tuniyaz, deputy secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Xinjiang Regional Committee and also chairman of the regional government.

Tuniyaz gave the speech during a press conference held by State Council Information Office, addressing Xinjiang's practices in advancing economic modernization with breakthroughs in high-quality development on Tuesday.

Industrialization and green transition are ongoing in Xinjiang. With unique geographical advantages and abundant resources, the reigon is ushering in a new development phase and will continue to make contributions to the country's energy and resource security, Tuniyaz said.

Gold, copper, iron, as well as coal, oil, and natural gas are Xinjiang's main natural resources. Activating and utilizing these resources effectively is the key to building a modern industrial system in Xinjiang and achieving high-quality development, he noted.

Tuniyaz said the region's GDP in the first quarter rose by 5.6 percent over a year earlier, while value added of industrial enterprises above the designated size increased by 8.0 percent.

Xinjiang has over recent years made continuous efforts to ramp up manufacturing capability. The region will accelerate the construction of clean and renewable energy bases such as wind and solar power generation, to promote large-scale development of new materials, including silicon-based and aluminum-based new materials, vigorously building up its energy supply system, and steadily promoting the goal of "dual carbon reductions".

In 2023, solar and wind power generation accounted for 4.6 percent and 7.3 percent of the national total, respectively, Tuniyaz said.

In recent years, China has maintained its status as the "world's factory" and a premium manufacturing powerhouse. As for Xinjiang region, it has been vigorously strengthening its industrial foundations, increasing production efficiency, and transforming and upgrading traditional industrial sectors, against the backdrop of Western reckless smearing and malicious crackdowns.

Green production in the manufacturing industry continues to advance in Xinjiang. With the region's expanding efforts in promoting the development of green and low-carbon industries, more and more low-carbon factories and zero-carbon plants are being built there, revamping the region's traditional image as being "dark, rough, and low-end," Tuniyaz said.