From September 6 to 7, Liu Yuegao, Secretary of the CPC Hengyang Municipal Committee, led a party and government delegation of Hengyang City to Shanshan County in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, the designated recipient of Hengyang’s Pairing Assistance to Xinjiang. The delegation visited and extended greetings to members of Hengyang’s 10th Assistance to Xinjiang Working Team and attended a symposium between Hengyang City and Shanshan County.

Liu Yuegao stressed the need to thoroughly study and implement General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important speeches and instructions on Xinjiang work and Pairing Assistance to Xinjiang, consolidate the results of Assistance to Xinjiang, shoulder the mission, stay true to the original aspiration, and work together to build the “second hometown” of Hengyang people into a more stable, prosperous, and beautiful place. Xieraili Waili, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Turpan Municipal Committee and Mayor of Turpan City, attended the symposium and delivered remarks.

Liu Yuegao fully affirmed the dedication of successive Hengyang Assistance to Xinjiang working teams. He pointed out that since 1998, Hengyang has dispatched 10 batches of 235 officials and professionals to Shanshan County to carry out Pairing Assistance to Xinjiang. They have built a number of Assistance projects, completed a series of livelihood programs, cultivated a pool of talents, and delivered fruitful results in the work of Pairing Assistance. He called for consolidating the achievements, deepening the friendship between Hengyang and Shanshan, and persevering in advancing all aspects of Assistance to Xinjiang to open a new chapter in bilateral exchanges and cooperation.

Liu Yuegao emphasized that Pairing Assistance to Xinjiang is a matter of national importance and a compulsory political responsibility. He urged efforts to shoulder the mission and focus on key tasks: jointly promoting industrial development by leveraging the complementary strengths of Hengyang and Shanshan, encouraging Hengyang enterprises to participate in Shanshan’s development, and advancing cultural and tourism cooperation through initiatives such as “Attracting Visitors to Hengyang” and “Attracting Visitors to Shanshan” to promote high-quality development of the tourism industry. He also called for deepening exchanges and cooperation, consolidating mechanisms such as “mentors guiding apprentices” and “teams training teams,” and building a talent pool in Shanshan that is “retained and battle-ready.” He underscored the need to ensure smooth handover of responsibilities, promptly complete the concluding tasks of the 14th Five-Year Plan Assistance program, and prepare a high-quality blueprint for Hengyang’s 15th Five-Year Plan Assistance program, so as to contribute concrete actions and practical results to the cause. He urged cadres to remain true to their original aspiration, uphold a good image, stay politically committed, unswervingly safeguard ethnic unity, strictly observe discipline, and fully play their role as a bridge and bond—becoming “part of Xinjiang” and doing their work in Xinjiang well.

Xieraili Waili warmly welcomed the Hengyang delegation and expressed gratitude for Hengyang’s selfless support. He said Shanshan will better play its principal role as the recipient and strengthen cooperation with Hengyang in broader fields, achieve complementary advantages, and work hand in hand to create a new stage of all-round exchanges and cooperation.

Since their arrival in Shanshan on May 24, 2023, the 28 members of Hengyang’s 10th Assistance to Xinjiang Working Team have assumed substantive posts, taken on practical responsibilities, consolidated the foundation of people’s livelihoods, built bridges of cooperation, and deepened cultural exchange. With heartfelt dedication, they have created distinctive Assistance brands such as “Hunan Aid,” “Hengyang Class,” and “Doctor Mao,” and fulfilled their mission of Pairing Assistance to Xinjiang with unwavering political commitment in the new era.

At the symposium, Vice Mayor Zhou Yumei of Hengyang gave a cultural and tourism promotion presentation.

During the visit to Shanshan, Liu Yuegao and his delegation also inspected Assistance projects, including Tuyugou Township, Astana Village in Lianmuqin Town, Bizhan Township Health Center, Pomegranate Shanshan Primary School, and Lingyun Community.

Leaders from Turpan City, including Chen Zhangjie and Xu Guodong, as well as leaders from Hengyang such as Liu Zhangyu, Yu Xinfan, and Hu Guoxiong, and leaders of Shanshan County including Li Guangyao and Kurbanjiang Nizhamidin, attended the visits and symposium.

Translator: Jing