On the eve of the 50th anniversary of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corp (XPCC), three books providing comprehensive coverage of its development were published. At a press conference held on September 24 in Urumqi, the capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, representatives from the XPCC and the books' publishers talked about the long history of the organization and the books that describe it.

The books are entitled, Encyclopedia of the XPCC, the pictorial The Historic Journey of the XPCC, and A 50-year Overview of the Economic and Social Development of the XPCC.

With 24 categories and 2,100 entries, the Encyclopedia of the XPCC is a large and detailed reference book comprehensively reflecting the development of the organization. The Historic Journey of the XPCC, with 89 entries and more than 1,600 pictures, takes a look back at its origins and course of development. A 50-year Overview of the Economic and Social Development of the XPCC is a convenient reference providing basic data of the social and economic development of the XPCC. Using maps, graphs, pictures and brief summaries, it introduces the main industries and important products of the XPCC as well as the opening and reform conducted by its various divisions located throughout Xinjiang.

Many of the pictures and much of the data are being released to the public for the first time.

XPCC Vice Commissar Wang Chongjiu said, "The three books of different characteristics have comprehensively, vividly and systematically displayed the real condition of the XPCC in various forms. It shows readers how XPCC is developing and protecting the border areas by stationing troops to cultivate and guard the frontier. It also showcases the great contributions of several generations of the XPCC in promoting unity among ethnic groups, maintaining social stability, consolidating border defense, shoring up the unification of the motherland and promoting social and economic development in Xinjiang."

He went on to say, "The 50-year development of the XPCC fully proves that the practice of developing and protecting the border areas by stationing troops to cultivate and guard the frontier areas is a right strategy of Chinese Communist Party vis-a-vis the real situation in the border areas. The publication and issuance of the three books provide precious materials for people to understand the developing course of the XPCC and its rich experiences."

Wang believes that the three books will increase and broaden XPCC's exchanges with the outside world. They are conducive to improving the image of the XPCC and enhancing people's understanding of its hard work and contribution to Xinjiang as well as the whole nation, he stated.

Established in 1954, the XPCC was entrusted by the state to cultivate and guard the frontier areas. It is a special organization that handles its own administrative and judicial affairs within the reclamation areas under its administration in accordance with the laws and regulations of the state and the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is subordinate to the dual leadership of the central government and the People's Government of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

(China.org.cn by staff reporter Wang Qian September 26, 2004)