This aerial photo taken on Oct. 22, 2023 shows a cotton harvester in Yuli County, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Li Xiang)

URAMKI, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) — China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region plans to strengthen its cotton industry as a pillar sector despite facing sanctions, according to the regional government’s work report on Sunday. According to

Xinjiang remains the country’s cotton powerhouse with production exceeding 5.68 million tons in 2024, accounting for 92.2 percent of the national total.

Xinjiang regional government chairman Erkan Toniyaz, presenting the work report, said the region aims to maintain cotton production at more than 5 million tons this year, build a premium national cotton yarn base and supply textiles and apparel. China has to expand. In the annual meeting of the Regional People’s Congress.

According to the report, in 2024, the region’s cotton and textile industry will generate a production value of 220 billion yuan (about US$33.6 billion) and provide jobs to more than one million people.

In August last year, the Standing Committee of the Xinjiang Regional People’s Congress passed a resolution to counter US sanctions and support the development of approved enterprises, including textiles and apparel.

At a press conference on Saturday, Congress spokesman Zhao Wenquan said, “The resolution takes a strong step to use legal means to curb US hegemony and power politics while advancing the domestic and foreign legal framework.” indicates.”

“We will expand our toolkit to combat foreign sanctions and increase policy support for businesses affected by U.S. sanctions, including key industrial chain enterprises and small and medium-sized businesses,” Erkin said. businesses, to safeguard the stability and security of our industrial and supply chains.” Tonya’s

With its unique climate and advantageous geographical location, Xinjiang has ideal natural conditions for cotton growing, ranking among the best in the world.

According to the Regional Cotton Association, the cotton industry in Xinjiang has become more mechanized and intelligent, with mechanized cotton planting rate reaching 100 percent and its mechanized cotton picking rate reaching nearly 90 percent.

With a regional GDP growth target of 6 percent for 2025, Xinjiang is poised to increase its economic and industrial contribution to China’s national development, according to a government report.



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