Uygurs' lives shorter than most other parts of region

The mainland's minority Muslim Uygurs have one of the shortest life spans in the region, new research shows.

Life expectancy for Uygurs in northwest Xinjiang averages 63 years, according to the region's Ministry of Health.

The rest of the mainland claims a typical life expectancy of 70 years.

The official People's Daily said the Xinjiang life expectancy, though low by Asian standards, represented 'a real step forward' for Uygurs.

'The average life span has risen from 33 years since the post-liberation period in the 1950s,' it said.

'Infectious diseases such as the plague, cholera and hepatitis have been effectively controlled.' Xinjiang residents have a per capita annual income of 1,136 yuan (HK$1,062) by official estimates.