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A Roadmap for Xinjiang
A Roadmap for Xinjiang
UPDATED: June 7, 2010 NO. 23 JUNE 10, 2010
Sources of Support
Xinjiang becomes the focus of a new development strategy to modernize and assist China's western region
By WANG JUN
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PROSPEROUS PRODUCERS: Vendors sell fruit outside the Grand Bazaar in south Xinjiang's Kashgar City. Covering 17 hectares, the Grand Bazaar is the largest market for farm producers in Xinjiang (ZHANG KAIXIN)

Not since the founding of New China in 1949 have Chinese policymakers gathered to discuss development and regional progress of Xinjiang. But recently, top leaders congregated to organize a progressive development scheme for China's most western region.

"It laid out an all-embracing blueprint for Xinjiang's future, and will play a significant role in boosting the region's development, stability and the border area's security," said Hao Shiyuan, Director of the Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, in a Xinhua News Agency report.

Support policies, such as a resource tax reform and partnership assistance program, were unveiled at the central work conference on Xinjiang's development, held in Beijing on May 17-19, raising eyebrows among experts.

"The combination of three sources of support—Central Government support, assistance from economically developed regions, and Xinjiang's self-development—demonstrates the spirit of unity and common endeavor. It will surely bring people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang closer together," said Hao.

Tang Yigai, a member of the advisor group of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, thinks the measures indicate the Central Government is resolved to improve its work in Xinjiang.

The pilot resource tax reform first launched in Xinjiang is significant.

The tax is important in propelling local economic development, said An Tifu, a professor of finance at the Renmin University of China, in an interview with The Beijing News. Xinjiang has abundant oil and natural gas, but its location has restrained the region's development.

A resource tax is a kind of local tax. Natural gas and oil taxed by price rather than by volume will surely increase local fiscal revenue, An said. These resources are mainly consumed in east China. A trial reform in Xinjiang can help narrow the income gap between Xinjiang and the eastern regions.

Tang also agreed. Influenced by the global financial crisis and sharp decline of oil prices in the international market, many oilfields in Xinjiang had reduced output of crude oil in 2009. The output was reduced from 27.22 million tons in 2008 to 25.18 million tons in 2009, Tang said. If taxes are levied on prices, the tax revenue for Xinjiang will increase by 10 billion yuan ($1.46 billion) every year.

Another preferential tax policy is for qualified enterprises in Xinjiang's poor regions, which will be exempted from income taxes for two years and allowed a 50-percent reduction the following three years. Tang thinks that this will be conducive to promote development of private companies, especially small and medium-sized ones, to improve the investment environment and increase the income of Xinjiang residents. More importantly, this policy will be conducive to increase job opportunities.

As part of the support efforts, a partner assistance program will also be launched, with 19 provinces and cities participating.

The partner assistance program will surely bring opportunities to Xinjiang's development, said Wei Houkai, Deputy Director of the Institute for Urban and Environmental Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, in an interview with The Beijing News. Accumulating financial aid worth 10 billion yuan ($1.46 billion) will not be difficult for the 19 capital-rich regions. However, Wei insists that Xinjiang should establish a long-term mechanism to ensure sustainable growth, and cooperate with other regions.

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