POVERTY RELIEF ALBUM

China's Xinjiang bids farewell to absolute poverty

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In a historic feat, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has bid farewell to absolute poverty.

The last 10 impoverished counties in Xinjiang have managed to end absolute poverty, the regional government announced on Nov. 14, 2020.

Past: Farmers sell home-grown pomegranates along roadside in Piyalma Township of Pishan County, Hotan Prefecture, Sept. 22, 2004. (File photo by Luo Xiaoguang)

Present: Workers process red dates at a wholesale market in Hotan County, Hotan Prefecture, Nov. 8, 2020. (Photo by Ding Lei)

The 10 counties, including Shache County, Moyu County and Akto County, are no longer impoverished counties by official standards, the local government said in an online statement.

Past: Uygur residents congratulate each other as they move into earthquake-proof houses in Gulahma Township, Cele County, December 2007. (File photo by Shen Qiao)

Present: Villager Memetniyaz Sawur rides past his home on an electric scooter in Uzunerik Village of Aksaray Township, Moyu County, Oct. 22, 2020. (Photo by Zhao Ge)

Past: An employee is at work in a textile workshop in Jiya Township of Lop County, 2001. (File photo by Shen Qiao)

Present: Altungul Tursun, 33, works at a textile production line in Cele County, Hotan Prefecture, Sept. 20, 2020. (Photo by Hu Huhu)

All the 10 counties are in southern Xinjiang, where the country's largest desert is located. Local people used to have limited access to stable income and public services due to the harsh natural environment and poor infrastructure.

Past: A farmer gets water from an artificial water storage pool in Cele County of Hotan Prefecture in the 1990s. (File photo by Shen Qiao)

Present: Abdukerem Turdi, a villager from an officially registered poor household, shows home access to tap water in Qushou Village of Moyu County, Hotan Prefecture, Nov. 21, 2019. (Photo by Zhao Ge)

TOP: Nomadic residents stand in front of a settlement site in Xindi Township of Yumin County, 1998. (File photo by Zhou Wenbin)

BOTTOM: Residents pose for a photo in their new home at a resettlement site in Tong'an Township of Zepu County, Kashgar, Feb. 17, 2019. (Photo by Zhao Ge)

The announcement was made based on a string of evaluations by the local governments and authorized third-party organizations, which found that people in the 10 counties now have stable access to education and medical care, among other things.

Past: A mobile hospital for herdsmen in Altay, 1999. (File photo by Xue Yongxing)

Present: Villagers wait in line to get their physical examination results at a clinic in Yaragzi Village of Xihxu Township, Kargilik County, May 2, 2020. (Photo by Hu Huhu)

Past: Students study by themselves at a boarding school in Daliyabuyi Township, Yutian County, Nov. 7, 2005. (File photo)

Present: A volunteer teacher teaches a science lesson to students at Bakedun Primary School in Tawakkul Township, Hotan County, May 16, 2020. (Photo by Wang Fei)

Chen Lei, an inspector with the regional poverty alleviation office, said the elimination of poverty in the 10 counties meant that all of Xinjiang's 32 poverty-stricken counties and more than 3.08 million registered impoverished residents have shaken off poverty.

Past: A Uygur villager braves a sandstorm on a donkey cart in Cele County, Hotan Prefecture, May 8, 2007. (File photo by Shen Qiao)

Present: A villager drives a tricycle along a country road in Tagarma Township of Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County, Oct. 16, 2020. (Photo taken by Zhao Ge)

Past: A Uygur villager waves his hand while moving home on a dirt road in Bostan Township, Cele County, Sept. 20, 2008. (File photo by Shen Qiao)

Present: A vehicle runs on a steel-structured bridge, paralleling next to a suspension bridge previously for pedestrians, in Xihxu Township of Kargilik County, May 2, 2020. (Photo by Hu Huhu)

Zhao Ge

Zhao Ge was born on June 29, 1978 in Korla, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Since he joined Xinhua News Agency Xinjiang Bureau in 2002, Zhao has covered major sports events in China and many breaking news in Xinjiang. His current interest lies in the historical sites and cultural changes in Xinjiang.

Wang Fei

Wang Fei was born on Jan. 22, 1980 in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. In July 2002, she began working at Xinhua News Agency Xinjiang Branch. Wang has long focused on social and cultural issues as well as sports events.

Hu Huhu

Hu Huhu was born in Tianmen, Hubei Province on May 8, 1990. Hu began working as photojournalist at Xinhua News Agency Xinjiang Branch in 2016. His focuses are social issues, sports and agricultural development in Xinjiang.

Ding Lei

Ding Lei was born in Urumqi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on April 28, 1987. He had worked as journalist both at a TV station affiliated to the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps and the Workers’ Times. In 2018, he joined Xinhua News Agency Xinjiang Branch. Poverty issues, rural revitalization and education are among Ding’s current interests.

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