Expat Eyes | Xinjiang, where the desert becomes an 'oasis'

This is the third time I have had the opportunity to visit the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. To truly appreciate the vastness and multiculturalism of China, one must travel at least as far as Xinjiang. From the economic and commercial hub of Guangzhou to the capital of Xinjiang, Urumqi, the journey takes around 5.5 hours by domestic flight (over 4 hours from Beijing).

Photo shows Nikos Ioannou

A multicultural region

A defining feature of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region is its multicultural character.

Monuments and places of worship belonging to various religions are scattered throughout the region. These range from minarets to Buddhist and Taoist places of worship, as well as Christian churches. Multiculturalism and the coexistence of multiple ethnic groups have shaped the character and characteristics of the inhabitants.

Photo shows Uygur people dancing at the entrance to the Ancient City of Kashi.

Geographical location

Xinjiang serves as China’s gateway to the outside world, as it borders eight countries: Russia, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India, covering 5,800 km of border. Today, the Silk Road has been transformed into China’s modern policy known as the Belt and Road Initiative. Due to its geographical location, Xinjiang appears to continue to play a prominent role in consolidating the policies of the People’s Republic of China throughout the world. Proof of this is the recent 9th China-Eurasia Expo, which saw the participation of 49 countries.

The topography is another key feature of the region. It is mainly covered by steppes and desert with low rainfall, relying on water from the melting of snow that falls in winter. Temperatures can range from minus 50 degrees Celsius in winter to plus 50 in summer.

The region has a thriving agricultural sector despite the very low rainfall, as it manages to utilize impressive techniques for water resource management and irrigation. Grape and wine production is remarkable in certain areas of Xinjiang. Due to the low temperatures, the vines are preserved during the winter by burying them in the ground and covering them with soil. And whilst irrigation and maintenance in winter make viticulture much more difficult, the results in terms of wine production are astonishing, as wine of exceptional quality is produced from various grape varieties.

Where they turn the desert into an oasis!

The most astonishing thing happening in Xinjiang is the transformation of the desert and steppes into an oasis and fertile regions. The greatest achievement is the ‘encirclement’ of the Taklimakan Desert, the second-largest desert in the world. By ‘encirclement’ we mean that vegetation systems of a distance of approximately 3,046 kilometres were planted, and solar panels were installed to retain the sand and reduce wind speed, whilst hardy plants were cultivated beneath them using innovative techniques. Between 2012 and 2024, forest cover increased from 4.24 percent to 5.07 percent of the region’s total area. Average rainfall has shown a steady increase as a result of these and other measures taken.

Photo shows shelterbelt in Hotan County, Xinjiang, flanked by desert forage production bases and protected agriculture facilities.

Xinjiang’s economy is certainly not limited to agricultural production, but also extends to the production of minerals and natural gas. The use of alternative forms of energy is particularly well developed. Here you will find the world’s largest solar park, with a capacity of 3.5 GW. When it comes to environmental protection, comparatively speaking, the Chinese talk less but do more. The People’s Republic of China has demonstrably made the greatest contribution to the protection of the natural environment in recent years, making it the largest contributor in this sector.

Nikos Ioannou is a member of the Central Committee of the Progressive Party of Working People of Cyprus

Producer: Xing Peiyu

Supervisor: Liu Yang

Reviewers: Cheng Li and Wang Xiabing

Editor: Jia Shaoqi