China's Xinjiang bids farewell to absolute poverty

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TOP: Farmers sell home-grown pomegranates along roadside in Piyalma Township of Pishan County, Hotan Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Sept. 22, 2004. (Photo taken by Luo Xiaoguang)

BOTTOM: Workers process red dates at a wholesale market in Hotan County, Hotan Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Nov. 8, 2020. (Photo by Ding Lei)

In a historic feat, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has bidden farewell to absolute poverty. The last 10 impoverished counties in Xinjiang have managed to end absolute poverty, the regional government announced on Nov. 14. The 10 counties, including Shache County, Moyu County and Akto County, are no longer impoverished counties by official standards, the local government said in an online statement. All the 10 counties are in southern Xinjiang, where the country's largest desert is located. Local people used to have limited access to stable income and public services due to the harsh natural environment and poor infrastructure. (Xinhua)