In the Kashgar region alone, an investment of 3.4 billion yuan ($480 million) has been pumped into water conservancy facilities over the past five years, easing the region's agriculture from the pain of spring droughts and autumn floods.

Booming industry

A modern industrial system with complete sectors has been built by and large in Xinjiang, with the mineral exploitation and processing of agricultural products as its mainstay, and including exploitation of oil and gas, petrochemicals, coal, electric power, textiles, building materials, chemicals, pharmaceuticals and food processing.

The east part of Xinjiang is a rich mine for many minerals, some of which are rare. In Kumul area alone, there are 76 kinds of minerals, accounting for 65 percent of the mineral varieties in Xinjiang. In Turpan, 60 kinds of mineral have been found, one of which, natron saltpeter, can be found nowhere else in China.

As the largest pillar industry of Xinjiang, the petroleum industry produces about 60 percent of the regional industrial added value. Four major oil fields have been built: Xinjiang Oilfield, Tarim Oilfield, Tuha Oilfield and Tahe Oilfield.

A number of petrochemical bases with their own characteristics have been built in Karamay, Dushanzi, Urumqi, Korla, Kuqa and Zepu. A system of petrochemical industries has been shaped, capable of refining oil and producing chemical fertilizer, plastics and chemical fiber.

The rich natural resources have drawn the eyes of many giant Chinese enterprises, including China Huadian Corp. and Shandong Luneng Group, which have expanded their investment in this area.

In Turpan, four clusters of industrial parks have been formed, offering homes to over 100 enterprises and attracting an overall investment of 5.5 billion yuan ($780 million).

Facts About Xinjiang

Xinjiang is the largest provincial-level administrative region of China-it accounts for more than a sixth of China's total territory and a quarter of its boundary length. It is divided into two basins by the Tianshan Mountain, Dzungarian Basin in the north, and Tarim Basin in the south.

Xinjiang is known for its fruits and farm produce, including grapes, melons, pears, cotton, wheat, silk, walnuts and sheep. Xinjiang also has large deposits of minerals and oil.