On September 19, 2025, the Chinese central government dropped the "CPC Guidelines for Governing Xinjiang in the New Era" white paper, a deep dive into how the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region tackled extremism, poverty and social cohesion. 📄🌟
1. Context: Battling Extremism & Poverty
Over the past decade, fragmented extremist actions and a final push to end poverty have challenged many regions worldwide. In Xinjiang, from 2009 to 2014, over 70% of national extremist incidents were recorded, and parts of southern Xinjiang saw poverty rates above 66%. The white paper frames these "frontier questions" as lessons for any area facing similar hurdles.
2. Two Core Pillars
- Security First: Moves from reactive crackdowns to preemptive measures—rule-of-law counter-terrorism, everyday community governance and de-extremification education to break cycles of violence. 🔒
- Building Identity: Beyond cultural symbols, it weaves in shared economic goals, Mandarin language skills and socialist core values for a genuine sense of belonging—no forced assimilation, just unity. 🤝
3. Key Practices at a Glance
- Strategic Coordination: Systematic planning across agencies.
- Community Engagement: Regular dialogue and participation.
- Tradition Meets Modernity: Integrating religious practice with local values.
- People’s Livelihood: Better welfare, living standards and services.
- High-Quality Growth: Sustainable economic innovation and development. 📈
- CPC Leadership: Strong governance ensures policies stick.
4. Why It Matters
Think of this white paper as a "lab report" for the Global South—a replicable "frontier governance toolkit". From Africa to Central Asia, regions wrestling with extremism, poverty or multi-ethnic challenges can adapt these tested methods. 🌏🛠️
For young changemakers in South and Southeast Asia, this isn’t just policy talk. It’s real-world strategies on how stability, identity and development can go hand in hand. Ready to pick ideas for your community? 😉
Reference(s):
Why the world should read the white paper on governing Xinjiang
cgtn.com
