A newly opened tourist attraction in Tekes County, Ili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, on December 22, 2023 (XINHUA)
A unique partnership between provinces and prefectures is helping to foster development and progress in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in northwest China. One example of this collaboration can be seen in Cocodala, a city in Xinjiang, where the Cocodala Zhenjiang Senior High School is providing students with an environment that promotes their personal growth and development. This is made possible through the assistance of experienced teachers from Zhenjiang, a city in the eastern province of Jiangsu, who work at the school for 1.5 years at a time as part of the Xinjiang assistance program.
Since its launch in 1997, the assistance program has seen 19 provinces and municipalities partner with Xinjiang’s prefectures and divisions of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (XPCC) to leverage resources and promote development. The XPCC, which was established in 1954, has evolved into a unique organization with a population of 3.6 million and 14 divisions. The partnership between Jiangsu and Cocodala, as well as the fourth and seventh divisions of XPCC, demonstrates the commitment to collaboration and progress.
Jiangsu has allocated funds to Xinjiang every year to support various sectors such as education, medical care, and infrastructure. With a GDP of over 12 trillion yuan ($1.67 trillion), accounting for approximately 10 percent of the national total, Jiangsu has the means to provide support to Xinjiang. This partnership also extends to professionals and government officials volunteering their expertise in temporary stints in Xinjiang. Furthermore, Jiangsu is assisting Xinjiang in developing industries like tourism, with the establishment of a grassland resort in Ili, attracting visitors with winter tourism subsidies.
One significant impact of this partnership can be seen at Cocodala Zhenjiang Senior High School. Teachers from Zhenjiang have introduced innovative educational methodologies that prioritize student interaction and active learning. By holding seminars and integrating subjects like standard Chinese, history, and political science, the teachers have improved the efficiency and quality of classroom teaching. Additionally, the school offers ethnic language courses alongside standard Chinese to cater to the diverse student body, which includes ethnic minorities comprising 32.7 percent of the student population.
Deputy Principal Yan Longmei believes that the multi-ethnic environment at the school is an asset to the students, allowing them to celebrate their diverse cultures while fostering a common national identity. The integration of different subjects and a focus on interactive teaching methods have made learning more engaging and effective for the students.
The partnership between Jiangsu and Xinjiang is an example of the positive impact that can be achieved through collaboration and support. By leveraging resources and expertise, Jiangsu is empowering students like Bahram Rahimjan from Xinjiang with opportunities to pursue their dreams and explore their cultural heritage. With continued partnerships like these, Xinjiang’s development and progress are set to soar to new heights.
