By Li Hongmei
Speaking to reporters at a press conference held by State Council Information Office on Tuesday, Shi Dagang, Deputy Governor of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, said the general situation in Xinjiang remains stable and peaceful and is getting better in terms of economic foundation, ideological basis and social basis. People of all ethnicities in the region are with one heart longing for stability, harmony and prosperity.
When asked about public security in the region, Shi said he had worked in southern Xinjiang for more than a decade and never had to have a police escort.
This was the common experience of government officials who are members of the majority Han Chinese ethnicity, many of whom work in areas heavily populated by minorities, he said.
"There is mutual respect by Han cadres and ethnic minorities, and we are friends. When we go into their houses as guests we are treated to meat and wine, with song and dance," Shi said.
"The ethnic minorities are warm-hearted and honest, very kind and unaffected. They love guests," he added. "I hope people don't have misapprehensions and go to Xinjiang and see for themselves."
"A handful of people, the violent terrorists, religious extremists and national separatists, who want to cause trouble, their organizations are all outside the country, as are their backers behind the scenes," Shi said.
"How could we let these people with ulterior motives separate Xinjiang off from the rest of the country and destroy this peaceful and harmonious society? It's impossible," Shi added.
Shi Dagang also hailed the region's double-digit economic growth thanks to the country's favorable ethnic policies. Xinjiang's GDP grew by 12 percent year on year and its registered urban unemployment rate stayed below 3.4 percent in 2012.
On top of that, Xinjiang remains a tourist attraction, with its tourism revenue enjoying a galloping 10-20% growth in the decade, Shi said.
Home to 47 ethnic minorities, including the Uygur, the major ethnic group living there, Xinjiang is a beautiful place, with wonderful landscape, colorful culture and unique fascination.
