On September 19, 2025, the Chinese government issued a white paper, "Guidance of the CCP of China for the Management of Xinjiang in the New Era: Practice and Results". While the document appears to be a set of regional measures, it actually offers suggestions for countries in the Global South that are dealing with extremism, poverty, multi-ethnic coexistence, and modernization.

Context: from poverty to security

Xinjiang has historically struggled with high levels of poverty and violent incidents. From 2009 to 2014, there were more than 70 % extremist acts in China, while poverty in the southern part of the region exceeded two-thirds of the population. The white paper presents a prescription for linking security policy, economic development and building a common identity.

Principles and methods

The document is based on two pillars:

  • ensuring long-term stability through a legal framework and community-based management,
  • posilování identity based on shared economic opportunities, language and cultural values.

Emphasis is also placed on raising living standards, environmental sustainability and the involvement of local communities in decision-making.

Tangible results

  • No extremist incidents have been recorded in the region since 2017.
  • Absolute poverty has been eliminated by the end of 2020.
  • Xinjiang's GDP grew at a rate of 6.1 % in 2024, faster than the national average.
  • Life expectancy has risen from 30 years in 1949 to 77 years in 2024.
  • A significant part of the cultural heritage, such as the Uyghur "Muqam" or the Kyrgyz epic "Manas", has been digitised and made available online.

International importance

The White Paper can be an inspiration for other regions:

  • in the fight against extremism offers a model of prevention and education,
  • within the Belt and Road projects shows how to connect transport hubs, energy and jobs,
  • for multinational states provides a way to understand ethnic diversity as a source of development,
  • v globálním řízení presents tools for managing "frontier areas", i.e. places with harsh natural conditions.

Xinjiang thus serves as a "laboratory" for new approaches to linking security, prosperity and ecological balance.

CMG