50th Founding Anniversary of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Marked The 50th anniversary of the founding of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region was celebrated at a grand gathering in the regional capital, featured by a 50-gun solute, dove flying, the issue of commemorative stamps and other activities. Full Story ● Xinjiang Increases Annual Oil Output by over One Mln Tons ● Xinjiang Produces 30% of World's Colored Cotton Output ● Atlas Silk Craft Revived in W China ● Ancient Uygur Lexicographer's Birthday Marked ● More Highways Open to Traffic in Xinjiang ● Measures in Place for Keeping Beauty of Kanas ● Delegation Arrives in Xinjiang for Celebrations ● Xinjiang Becomes Bridgehead for Trade Ties with Central Asia More ● West-East Gas Project ● Land Ports and Border Trade The 4,000-kilometer gas pipeline, one of the four large infrastructure projects in China's 10th Five-Year Plan (2001-05), will transport clean fuel from Xinjiang to the energy-hungry Yangtze River Delta. Xinjiang's geographical and human resource advantages are ideal for developing border trade. It now has 16 Class A ports, where foreign transport vehicles may deliver goods directly, and 11 Class B ports. ● Islamic Architecture ● Silk Road The Islamic architecture of the region reflects the diverse tastes of different peoples through centuries of time, yet it also signals an underlying unity of belief and thought. The Silk Road is an ancient trade route linking China with the Roman Empire. It extends for 6,440 kilometers and many cultural relics along it are still well maintained. ● Tourist Attractions Urumqi | Turpan | Kashi Kanas Lake Tianchi Lake No.1 Glacier Tarim River Bosten Lake Nalat Grassland Ili River Scenery Fruit Valley Urho Ghost Castle Sayram Lake General Gobi Islamic King Tombs Bayanbulak Grassland Kongnaiz Grassland Peak Tomur ● Erdaoqiao Market in Urumqi ● Huge Folk Instruments Apply for World Record Status ● Frontier Hotel in Urumqi -- Not Quite ● US$30 Mln to Protect Karezes ● Journalists on Tour for Xinjiang's 50th More

The central government delegation sent on Friday a bronze tripod, a traditional Chinese sacrificial vessel symbolizing unity, to the government of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the region's founding on Saturday.

Ethnic Minorities Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has, since ancient times, been populated by many ethnic groups, including a great number of nomadic tribes and nations. By the end of the 19th century, 13 major ethnic communities had established themselves there: the Uygurs, Hans, Kazaks, Mongolians, Huis, Kirgizs, Manchus, Xibes, Tajiks, Daurs, Ozbeks, Tatars and Russians. The Uygurs comprised the majority, and this multiethnic pattern remains even today. More Geography Population Transportation Environment Natural Resources Economic Statistics History and Development of Xinjiang Regional Autonomy for Ethnic Minorities in China Government of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region

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