In 2019, Xinjiang lifted 12 counties out of poverty, bringing down the poverty rate from 6.1 percent in 2018 to 1.2 percent last year. The last batch of 9,355 families living in dangerous houses have moved into brand-new homes.

 

Meanwhile, Xinjiang's environment is improving. Last year, authorities banned high-polluting, high-energy-consuming and high-discharging companies from operating in the region. Last year, average good-air days increased 1.5 percent year on year in major cities and the proportion of quality river water was up 1.2 percent.

 

In 2019, local governments reported zero illegal borrowed loans, effectively reining in financial risks. The government also encouraged credit support for brick-and-mortar businesses.