China's first encyclopedia in ethnic minority languages was published Thursday in Urumqi, capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

Based on a Chinese edition published in October 2002, the Encyclopedia of Xinjiang, edited in Uygur and Kazak languages, enlisted 70 translators and experts in the two minority languages.

The book relates to the long history of Xinjiang and basic knowledge of the region's natural environment and social sciences, with ethnical and religious categories as its two key parts. It also highlights great changes that have taken place in Xinjiang since the founding of New China in 1949.

The book was published by the Xinjiang People's Publishing House. Ismail Tiliwaldi, chairman of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, said "The book is a synthesis of Xinjiang's history and the status quo of the economy, science and technology, and culture in the region. It will further contribute to the region's ethnic and overall development."

The population of Uygur and Kazak ethnic groups is 8 million and 1.3 million respectively in Xinjiang, covering 46 percent and 7.4 percent of the region's total population of 19.3 million.

(Xinhua News Agency November 25, 2005)