PROTECT FREEDOM OF RELIGIOUS BELIEF
China has fully implemented the policy of freedom of religious belief, protecting normal religious activities and ensuring the public's freedom of religion in Xinjiang.
To satisfy normal religious needs of local people, Xinjiang has published translations of the religious classics of Islam, Buddhism, and Christianity in multiple languages, the white paper said, adding 1.76 million copies of the Quran and Selections from Al-Sahih Muhammad Ibn-Ismail al-Bukhari have been printed and distributed.
Religious organizations have organized training courses on religious knowledge and etiquette for citizens with religious beliefs.
Xinjiang has 112 religious organizations, which receive help from the government to improve their conditions and allow them to play a broader role, it said.
"Legitimate rights of religious organizations have been effectively safeguarded," the white paper read.
POVERTY REDUCTION
The incidence of poverty had dropped to 10 percent or less by the end of 2016, said the white paper.
It said that the region has implemented targeted and effective measures in poverty alleviation, and further improvement has been made in the quality of life and daily living conditions of the impoverished.
Since the launch of China's reform and opening-up drive in 1978, Xinjiang's GDP has soared from 3.9 billion yuan (about 570 million U.S. dollars) to 961.7 billion yuan in 2016.
In the same period, the per-capita disposable income of urban residents rose from 319 yuan to 28,463 yuan and that of rural residents from 119 yuan to 10,183 yuan.
The white paper said the autonomous region has directed a considerable effort to infrastructure construction in tap water, power and gas.
It added that Xinjiang has also given priority to promoting equal employment opportunities, and encouraged different sectors to create more jobs.
LIFE EXPECTANCY SOARS AS HEALTHCARE IMPROVES
According to the white paper, the average life expectancy has increased from 30 years in 1949 to 72.35 years in 2016 while the mortality rate dropped from 20.82 in 1949 to 4.26 per thousand in 2016 in Xinjiang.
"There is marked improvement in ensuring access to healthcare," it said.
The white paper said Xinjiang's medical services were in a poor state before 1949; there was a shortage of doctors and medicines, and epidemics of diseases, such as the plague, smallpox, and cholera, were commonplace.
After more than 60 years of development, a basic medical care system has been established, with medical institutions covering urban and rural areas.
By the end of 2016, there were 15,721 medical institutions of various kinds, including 707 hospitals with 144,500 beds, and 51,000 doctors, and 56,000 nurses, the white paper said, adding Xinjiang is now above the national average in terms of medical service capacity.
