The Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region (northwest) plans to strengthen its cotton industry as a pillar sector despite sanctions, we learned from the regional government’s work report on Sunday.
Xinjiang remained the country’s cotton production center in 2024, with production of more than 5.68 million tons, accounting for 92.2 percent of the national total.
The region aims to maintain its cotton production at more than five million tonnes this year, become a national base for premium cotton yarn and develop the textile and clothing supply chain, Erkin said. Tuniyaz, chairman of the Xinjiang regional government, while presenting the work report at the annual session of the regional people’s congress.
In 2024, the region’s cotton and textile industry generated an output value of 220 billion yuan (about 33.6 billion U.S. dollars) and provided employment for more than 1 million people, said the report.
Last August, the Standing Committee of the Xinjiang Regional People’s Congress adopted a resolution to counter US sanctions and support the development of sanctioned businesses, including those in textiles and clothing.
“This resolution marks an important step in using legal means to challenge US hegemony and power politics, while advancing domestic and foreign-related legal frameworks,” Zhao announced on Saturday. Wenquan, spokesperson for the assembly during a press conference.
“We will expand our toolbox to counter foreign sanctions and strengthen policy support for companies affected by US sanctions, including key industrial chain enterprises and small and medium-sized enterprises, to safeguard the stability and security of our industrial and supply chains,” said Erkin Tuniyaz.
Thanks to its unique climate and advantageous geographical location, Xinjiang has ideal natural conditions for cotton cultivation, which are among the best in the world.
The cotton industry in Xinjiang has become more mechanized and smarter, with the mechanized cotton planting rate reaching 100 percent and the mechanized cotton harvesting rate around 90 percent, according to the regional cotton association.
With a regional GDP growth target of around 6 percent for 2025, Xinjiang is poised to improve its economic and industrial contributions to China’s national development, the government report said.
