A close-up profile shot of Xi Jinping, President of the People's Republic of China, wearing a blue suit and tie. By MDL.

World

Xi Jinping in Xinjiang: Why the Chinese President’s Visit Matters Now

Xi Jinping visited Xinjiang for its 70th anniversary, amid international scrutiny of the region’s policies.

byAndres Castro

September 23, 2025, 9:20 AM

Executive Summary

Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Urumqi to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Xinjiang’s establishment as an autonomous region, underscoring Beijing’s focus on the territory.

Xinjiang holds significant strategic importance for China due to its natural resources, its role as a critical gateway for the Belt and Road Initiative, and its geopolitical position bordering Central Asian nations.

President Xi’s visit occurs amidst ongoing international scrutiny over alleged human rights abuses against Uyghurs, which Beijing consistently refutes, characterizing its policies as necessary for combating extremism and promoting development.

The Story So Far

President Xi Jinping’s visit to Xinjiang commemorates the 70th anniversary of its establishment as an autonomous region, underscoring Beijing’s sustained focus on this strategically vital territory. Xinjiang is crucial for China’s national identity, boasts significant natural resources, and serves as a key gateway for the Belt and Road Initiative, making its stability essential for China’s broader geopolitical ambitions, even as the region faces ongoing international scrutiny regarding alleged human rights abuses against Uyghurs, which Beijing consistently refutes as necessary measures for development and stability.

Why This Matters

President Xi’s visit to Xinjiang for its 70th anniversary celebration underscores Beijing’s unwavering commitment to its policies in the region, reinforcing its narrative of stability and development amidst ongoing international scrutiny over alleged human rights abuses. This move also highlights Xinjiang’s critical strategic importance for China’s national identity, resource security, and the successful westward expansion of the Belt and Road Initiative, signaling that maintaining control and internal order in the region remains a top priority for Beijing’s geopolitical ambitions.

Who Thinks What?

Beijing, as highlighted by President Xi Jinping’s visit, emphasizes Xinjiang’s historical and cultural integration, strategic importance for national identity and the Belt and Road Initiative, and views its policies as necessary for combating extremism, alleviating poverty, and promoting stability and development.

Various international bodies and governments have raised concerns regarding alleged human rights abuses against Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities in Xinjiang.

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Urumqi this week to participate in events commemorating the 70th anniversary of Xinjiang’s establishment as an autonomous region, state-run news agency Xinhua reported. His visit highlights Beijing’s sustained focus on the vast northwestern territory, a region that has drawn significant international attention.

Xinjiang’s Autonomous Status and Significance

The anniversary marks a pivotal moment in the governance of Xinjiang, officially known as the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. This designation grants the region certain self-governing rights within the People’s Republic of China’s administrative structure.

Home to a diverse population, including the predominantly Muslim Uyghur ethnic group, Xinjiang plays a crucial role in China’s national identity and strategic planning. The central government emphasizes the region’s historical and cultural integration into the broader Chinese nation.

Strategic Importance and Geopolitical Role

Xinjiang holds immense strategic importance for China, boasting significant natural resources, including oil and gas reserves. Its geographical position also places it as a critical gateway for the Belt and Road Initiative’s westward expansion.

The region’s borders with several Central Asian nations make it a key economic and geopolitical hub for Beijing’s regional and global ambitions. Stability and development in Xinjiang are thus considered vital for China’s broader foreign policy objectives.

International Scrutiny and Beijing’s Stance

President Xi’s visit comes amidst ongoing international scrutiny concerning alleged human rights abuses against Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities in Xinjiang. Various international bodies and governments have voiced concerns over these reports.

Beijing consistently refutes such allegations, characterizing its policies in the region as necessary measures to combat extremism, alleviate poverty, and promote economic development and social stability. Chinese officials maintain that the region has achieved significant progress under these initiatives.

Looking Ahead

President Xi’s presence in Urumqi underscores the central government’s commitment to its policies in Xinjiang. The visit reinforces Beijing’s narrative of progress and stability in a region vital to China’s internal governance and its broader geopolitical strategy.