China Hosts Xinjiang Trade Forum to Promote Economic Development Amidst Past Controversies
China is hosting an international conference in Xinjiang, a region previously known for mass detentions of ethnic minorities, to promote economic development. The International Conference for Trans-Altai Subregional Cooperation is taking place in Altay, with officials from Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Russia, and other nations discussing trade and economic cooperation. China aims to develop industries such as coal, oil, gas, and cotton in Xinjiang. The region has been marked by economic disparity, with rural residents earning significantly less than those in wealthier provinces. This disparity has contributed to unrest, leading to the detention of over a million ethnic minorities, primarily Uyghurs, since 2017. Although China claims to have closed most detention centers by 2021, some have been converted into prisons. Activists report forced participation in government jobs programs for Uyghurs, which is expected to increase under China's latest economic plan. 
