TOP: A group of students study by themselves at a boarding school in Daliyabuyi Township, Yutian County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Nov. 7, 2005. (File photo) BOTTOM: A volunteer teacher teaches a science lesson to students at Bakedun Primary School in Tawakkul Township, Hotan County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, May 16, 2020. (Photo taken by Wang Fei) In a historic feat, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has bidden farewell to absolute poverty. The last 10 impoverished counties in Xinjiang have managed to end absolute poverty, the regional government announced on Nov. 14. The 10 counties, including Shache County, Moyu County and Akto County, are no longer impoverished counties by official standards, the local government said in an online statement. All the 10 counties are in southern Xinjiang, where the country's largest desert is located. Local people used to have limited access to stable income and public services due to the harsh natural environment and poor infrastructure. (Xinhua)

TOP: Nomadic residents pose for a photo in front of a settlement site in Xindi Township of Yumin County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in 1998. (Photo taken by Zhou Wenbin) BOTTOM: Residents pose for a photo in their new home at a resettlement site in Tong'an Township of Zepu County, Kashgar, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Feb. 17, 2019. (Photo taken by Zhao Ge) In a historic feat, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has bidden farewell to absolute poverty. The last 10 impoverished counties in Xinjiang have managed to end absolute poverty, the regional government announced on Nov. 14. The 10 counties, including Shache County, Moyu County and Akto County, are no longer impoverished counties by official standards, the local government said in an online statement. All the 10 counties are in southern Xinjiang, where the country's largest desert is located. Local people used to have limited access to stable income and public services due to the harsh natural environment and poor infrastructure. (Xinhua)

LEFT: Bazaar-goers look at cassette tapes in Shache County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in 1995. (Photo taken by Wu Chunzhan) RIGHT: Tourists buy hand drums at the Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar in Urumqi, capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Oct. 4, 2020. (Photo taken by Ding Lei) In a historic feat, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has bidden farewell to absolute poverty. The last 10 impoverished counties in Xinjiang have managed to end absolute poverty, the regional government announced on Nov. 14. The 10 counties, including Shache County, Moyu County and Akto County, are no longer impoverished counties by official standards, the local government said in an online statement. All the 10 counties are in southern Xinjiang, where the country's largest desert is located. Local people used to have limited access to stable income and public services due to the harsh natural environment and poor infrastructure. (Xinhua)

TOP: An employee is at work in a textile workshop in Jiya Township of Lop County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in 2001. (Photo taken by Shen Qiao) BOTTOM: Altungul Tursun, a 33-year-old employee, works at a textile production line in Cele County, Hotan Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Sept. 20, 2020. (Photo by Hu Huhu) In a historic feat, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has bidden farewell to absolute poverty. The last 10 impoverished counties in Xinjiang have managed to end absolute poverty, the regional government announced on Nov. 14. The 10 counties, including Shache County, Moyu County and Akto County, are no longer impoverished counties by official standards, the local government said in an online statement. All the 10 counties are in southern Xinjiang, where the country's largest desert is located. Local people used to have limited access to stable income and public services due to the harsh natural environment and poor infrastructure. (Xinhua)

TOP: A Uygur villager braves a sandstorm on a donkey cart in Cele County, Hotan Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, May 8, 2007. (Photo taken by Shen Qiao) BOTTOM: A villager drives a tricycle along a country road in Tagarma Township of Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Oct. 16, 2020. (Photo taken by Zhao Ge) In a historic feat, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has bidden farewell to absolute poverty. The last 10 impoverished counties in Xinjiang have managed to end absolute poverty, the regional government announced on Nov. 14. The 10 counties, including Shache County, Moyu County and Akto County, are no longer impoverished counties by official standards, the local government said in an online statement. All the 10 counties are in southern Xinjiang, where the country's largest desert is located. Local people used to have limited access to stable income and public services due to the harsh natural environment and poor infrastructure. (Xinhua)

TOP: Farmers sell home-grown pomegranates along roadside in Piyalma Township of Pishan County, Hotan Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Sept. 22, 2004. (Photo taken by Luo Xiaoguang) BOTTOM: Workers process red dates at a wholesale market in Hotan County, Hotan Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Nov. 8, 2020. (Photo by Ding Lei) In a historic feat, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has bidden farewell to absolute poverty. The last 10 impoverished counties in Xinjiang have managed to end absolute poverty, the regional government announced on Nov. 14. The 10 counties, including Shache County, Moyu County and Akto County, are no longer impoverished counties by official standards, the local government said in an online statement. All the 10 counties are in southern Xinjiang, where the country's largest desert is located. Local people used to have limited access to stable income and public services due to the harsh natural environment and poor infrastructure. (Xinhua)

TOP: Uygur residents congratulate each other as they move into earthquake-proof houses in Gulahma Township, Cele County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in December 2007. (Photo taken by Shen Qiao) BOTTOM: Villager Memetniyaz Sawur rides past his home on an electric scooter in Uzunerik Village of Aksaray Township, Moyu County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Oct. 22, 2020. (Photo taken by Zhao Ge) In a historic feat, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has bidden farewell to absolute poverty. The last 10 impoverished counties in Xinjiang have managed to end absolute poverty, the regional government announced on Nov. 14. The 10 counties, including Shache County, Moyu County and Akto County, are no longer impoverished counties by official standards, the local government said in an online statement. All the 10 counties are in southern Xinjiang, where the country's largest desert is located. Local people used to have limited access to stable income and public services due to the harsh natural environment and poor infrastructure. (Xinhua)