Autonomous region aims high
By chinadaily.com.cn (Dong Zhixi, Yue Fenghua)
Updated: 2005-07-20 09:16

The Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region is targeting an annual 10% GDP growth to bring its economy to 12.09 billion yuan in 2007, with per-capita GDP reaching 20,000 yuan, said a senior region official Tuesday.

In 2010, the region's GDP is expected to hit 16.98 billion yuan, and its per-capita GDP will be 27,300 yuan, the region's Chairman Ismail Tiliwaldi told reporters from some 37 websites from across the country in Urumqi.

Ismail Tiliwaldi, chairman of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region government, outlines a bright future for the region's economic development in Urumqi July 19, 2005. [chinadaily.com.cn]

The year 2005 marks the 50th anniversary of the founding of the autonomous region and the region has made great achievements the past 50 years, especially after the implementation of the reform and opening-up policy.

Most of the residents in the vast region have been lifted out of poverty and their life has witnessed marked improvements, according to Ismail Tiliwaldi.

Almost all the residents have access to clean drinking water and electricity, putting an end to the history of using lamp for illumination.

Free compulsory education has been offered for school-age children across the region, said the chairman, adding that those who are in a poor financial situation will receive free college education.

This year, the agricultural tax will be cancelled in the country's largest autonomous region and this will cut the burden of local farmers by 103 yuan each year.

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