CRNTT:

Xinjiang enjoys a good reputation across the country. The recent hit TV series "To the Wonder" has made Altay an ideal place in the minds of many people . What measures will Xinjiang take to promote the high-quality development of tourism in the future? Thank you.

Erkin Tuniyaz:

I would like to invite Ms. Sun to answer your question.

Sun Hongmei: 

Thank you for your question. Just now, Mr. Erkin Tuniyaz also mentioned the TV series "To the Wonder." I believe that the reason this show has moved and attracted so many viewers is because of Xinjiang's splendid natural scenery, distinctive ethnic customs, as well as the exchanges and interactions among multiple ethnic groups. In this way, Altay prefecture is an epitome of Xinjiang. Xinjiang boasts world-class cultural tourism resources, including unique natural landscapes, snowy mountains, the Gobi Desert, forests, grasslands, lakes and other deserts. It also enjoys profound history and culture as the four ancient civilizations converged there. The ancient city of Loulan, Jiaohe Ancient City Ruins, Gaochang Ancient City Ruins, Kizil Grottoes and Subashi Buddhist Temple Ruins are well-recognized throughout the world. Multiple ethnic cultures blend with each other and coexist harmoniously in Xinjiang, creating a vibrant tapestry of intangible cultural heritage resources including the Uygur Muqam art, the Kirgiz epic Manas, the Kazak Aytes ballad singing, and the Mongolian epic Janger.

We will earnestly implement the important instructions issued by General Secretary Xi Jinping on tourism, uphold fundamental principles, break new ground, improve quality and efficiency, promote integrated development, and step up efforts to transform Xinjiang from a region abundant in tourism resources to a region with strong tourism performance, thus making tourism a pillar industry to bring greater prosperity to the region and its people.

First, we will deepen the integration of cultural and tourism industries. With a focus on forging a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation, we will shape tourism through culture and highlight culture through tourism, so that we can fully explore and make good use of our rich historical, cultural and revolutionary legacies to create quality tourism products with rich cultural connotations and distinctive characteristics. We will accelerate the development of archaeological site parks such as the Ruins of the Western Regions Frontier Command Headquarters, and Beiting Ancient City Site, while building high-quality tourist attractions based on world-class cultural heritage such as the Kizil Grottoes and the Subashi Buddhist Temple Ruins. Meanwhile, the Xinjiang Intangible Cultural Heritage Museum will be completed and open to public this year thanks to the deep integration between intangible cultural heritage and the tourism sector. 

Second, we will build a gathering area for high-level tourism brands. We will exert greater efforts to upgrade tourist attractions, give full play to the driving role of UNESCO World Heritage sites and national 5A scenic spots, and develop world-class tourist destinations. We will improve the quality of the Dushanzi-Kuqa Highway, G219, Yining-Zhaosu Highway, Altay-Hemu Highway and other unique scenic roads, to create top self-drive tour routes in China.

Third, we will foster distinctive models of tourism. Relying on the advantages of rich snow and ice resources in the Altay and Tianshan mountains, we will encourage the development of winter economy clusters to create winter sports and tourism resorts that are known worldwide. We will also vigorously develop special tourism aimed at adventure, study, health care, desert exploration and low altitude experiences, and promote tourism related to ethnic customs while developing products for both border and cross-border tourism. 

Fourth, we will optimize the quality of tourism services. We will improve comprehensive service facilities in transportation, accommodation and catering sectors, accelerate the development of smart tourism, facilitate inbound tourism, and strengthen the supervision of the tourism market, thus building a "smiling Xinjiang" service brand.

Xinjiang is now entering its best season for tourism. I would like to welcome all of you to visit. Thank you.