Homecoming fuels new futures

A shared vision

According to Li Xiaohan, she has seen different generations play their own roles in Xinjiang's transformation. "My grandparents came to Urumqi and helped shape the city; my parents witnessed its urbanization," she recalled. "For my generation, I hope to contribute to the city's cultural and spiritual development."

Li Jialin has also noticed a shift in how people perceive Xinjiang. She laughed as she remembered how, during college, classmates from other regions would ask if she lived on the grasslands and rode horses to school.

"But now, when people talk about Xinjiang, they no longer see it as remote or undeveloped. Instead, they mention its delicious fruits and stunning landscapes. This shows that Xinjiang's progress is being recognized," Li Jialin said.

Recently, Wang Bingying has been working on a street renovation project to mark the 70th anniversary of the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. "This area is home to many ethnic groups, and I hope people from different backgrounds will come and see the changes we've made over the past 70 years," she said.