The positive reality that is the Xinjiang region

Anyone with a good knowledge of Xinjiang will tell you that the region's governance is a thorny issue. Bordering eight countries with different political systems and cultural practices, Xinjiang faces traditional and non-traditional security issues and uncertainties brought about by the power game being played by global powers, as shown by the deadly terrorist violence in Urumqi and other cities.

The coexistence of 47 unevenly distributed ethnic groups in the region, their cultural diversities and different stages of economic development - along with the constant threat of East Turkistan separatist forces inside and outside Xinjiang - are also serious challenges to the effective governance of Xinjiang.

During the past six decades, the central government has achieved many things as far as governance of Xinjiang is concerned. Xinjiang's peaceful liberation ended the rule of warlords and foreign intervention in the region. It also led to the establishment of the regional autonomy system based on such principles as equality, unity, mutual help, friendship, and common development and prosperity for all ethnic groups.

To meet its realistic needs for social stability, border security and economic development, the central government has helped Xinjiang build a relatively developed industrial system and traffic network. As a result, Xinjiang's gross national product grew from 1.2 billion yuan in 1955 to 926.41 billion yuan in 2014, a 118-fold increase. Xinjiang's economic growth has been more than 10 percent for five consecutive years since 2010, and its per capita GDP crossed $5,000 last year. Such economic performance could not have been possible without the preferential policies extended by the central government. But overseas observers seem blind to all this.

Given that East Turkistan separatist forces are a major source of instability in Xinjiang, it is but natural for the central and regional governments to take measure to fight the evil forces with the support of the local people. In particular, China's efforts to advance the Belt and Road Initiative have made Xinjiang a core area of economic activities, raising hopes for the region's further development.

As such, many people in the Western world should take off its tinted glasses to objectively look at the problems and difficulties in Xinjiang's governance and give up its double standards.

The author is a research fellow with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.