Xinjiang playing crucial role in development drive

Most of China's west is a large tract of arid land, the country's biggest province - the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on the northwestern frontier - but is so richly endowed with natural resources that it is the envy of neighbouring provinces.

Xinjiang boasts the country's largest reserve of natural gas and the second-largest petroleum production capacity. The province is also home to the country's biggest cotton-growing area.

The region's glacial water and weather, unique with its dramatic daily temperature gap and long hours of sunlight in the summer, nourish the famous melons of Hami and grapes of Turpan, as well as rare herbs and spices.

China's most ambitious project after the Three Gorges Dam is a proposed pipeline to supply the country's east with natural gas from the west. The 4,000-kilometre pipeline will originate in Xinjiang and carry gas from the Tarim Basin to Shanghai and nearby provinces for 30 years starting in 2003. Dubbed China's treasure basin, Tarim is also rich in petroleum, copper, gold and rare minerals.

No wonder the people of Xinjiang talk of their home with a distinct sense of pride. They refer to the province as 'the key of the keys' in the Go West drive, a phrase often used by Xinjiang government officials.

As far as the central government is concerned, the importance of Xinjiang is undisputed. Sharing a 5,000 km border with eight countries and home to more than 10 ethnic minority groups, Xinjiang is strategically important, especially because the largest group, the Muslim Uygur, has been agitating for greater autonomy. The Uygurs do not have a spiritual leader such as the Dalai Lama of neighbouring Tibet but are believed to be supported by Uygurs in neighbouring countries.