More than 4,000 cultural relics sites had been found in China' northwestern Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region by 2008, said a white paper issued here Monday.

Among them, 58 were listed as key spots of cultural relics under the state protection, said the white paper on the development and progress in Xinjiang issued by the Information Office of the State Council.

Xinjiang is very rich in historical sites. And the state has always attached great importance to the conservation and renovation of historical sites in Xinjiang, the paper said.

"Significant achievements have been made in legislation on cultural relics preservation, archeological study and excavation, renovation and conservation of cultural relics, and their exhibition," it said.

Under the guiding principle of "giving priority to both conservation and rescue," a large-scale renovation has been carried out to the region's key cultural relics sites, including the Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves and Gaochang Ancient City Ruins.

In addition, a number of renowned architectures representing the preeminent historical and cultural heritages of the Uygur, Mongolian, Hui, Xibe and other peoples have been properly renovated and preserved.

According to the paper, in recent years, significant progress has been made in the conservation of Kashi, historically a place of strategic importance on the Silk Road with a culture of distinctive ethnic characteristics.

"Three billion yuan will be spent on the renovation work which will be done in line with the national conservation standards for historical and cultural cities," said the paper.

Efforts will be made to maintain Kashi's original appearance, so the structures will keep their original architectural and cultural characteristics after the renovation, it said.

(Xinhua News Agency September 22, 2009)