ISLAMABAD, Aug. 22 (INP): Xinjiang is one of the fast growing areas of China contrary to western propaganda, speakers at a webinar here said, according to a report published by Gwadar Pro.

The webinar - titled 'the success of Chinese policy against extremism in Xinjiang' - was organized by the Pak-China Center for Friendship and Cooperation to highlight the economic development in Xinjiang due to effective policy of Chinese government.

The webinar was attended by foreign journalists, including Editor in Chief of the French monthly Nouvelle Solidarite Christine Bierre, National President of New Zealand China Friendship Society Dave Bormwich, Washington Bureau Chief of the Weekly Magzine Executive Intelligence Review Willam Jones and Chief Journalist of Chinese Guang Ming Daily Professor Zhou Rong.

The speakers hoped that the completion of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would usher a new era of development and prosperity in Xinjiang.

"Xinjiang is today one of the fast growing areas of China with the energy sector leading the way. Big industries are being set up in the region and the CPEC will meet its growing energy needs," said Columnist and Former Ambassador Javed Hafiz, highlighting success of the Chinese policy which spurred economic growth in the area.

Contrary to the propaganda peddled by foreign media about instability in Xinjiang, he said the Chinese government has been successful in poverty alleviation, controlling extremism and making this region a hub of development activities.

Javed said the central government had invested RMB2.35 trillion in Xinjiang during the last several years. Between 2014 and 2018, about 10 per cent of the provincial population had been lifted out of poverty.

He said last year, Xinjiang's rural GDP (gross domestic product) increased by 9.7 per cent. "Today, no child is out of school in Xinjiang."

The former ambassador rejected the propaganda of motivated quarters about presence of concentrated camps in the area. "The region has camps which only impart vocational trainings and language courses," he added.

Sinologist Professor Engineer Zamir Ahmed Awan said the Chinese government, adopting unique model of development, had asked 19 other provinces to allocate certain amount of funds for Xinjiang development.

Former Air Force Officer Sultan Mahmood Hali said the fake news being churned out were based on lies and negated the on ground situation of Xinjiang.

He said China adopted 'Going West' policy in 1999 to reduce disequilibrium between western provinces of China through a dynamic investment policy, aimed at boosting industrial production infrastructure development.

Hali said Chinese President Xi Jinping brought this policy a leap forward with the launching of the Belt and Road Initiative which made Xinjiang the outpost to the Eurasian continent.

The speakers also rejected the propaganda of foreign media about prevalence of extremism in Xinjiang and endorsed the fact that the region had been witnessing economic development and prosperity.

They said the Belt and Road Initiative infused hope for a brighter future in Xinjiang as it connects China with eight countries including Afghanistan, India, Kazakhstan, Kirghizstan, Mongolia, Pakistan, Russia and Tajikistan.

Chairing the webinar, former information minister Nisar Memon said China had set new examples for the world.

"We are lucky that we have a friend like China. They give a solution for everything," he added.

INP/JAVED