Each year, the regional Two Sessions offer a window on political participation in Xinjiang. This year's gatherings, held in Urumqi in late January, were formally known as the Fourth Session of the 14th Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Regional People's Congress and the Fourth Session of the 13th Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Regional Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). The participants forged consensus on goals and development strategies for 2026 and beyond.

The regional people's congress is the local organ of state power. It is authorized by the Chinese Constitution to examine and approve Xinjiang's economic and social development plans, enact regional regulations and elect officials to key positions including chair of the regional government. It also hears reports of the regional high people's court and the regional people's procuratorate, an agency responsible for legal oversight. The regional people's congress consists of more than 500 deputies elected by prefectural-level people's congresses, representing the diverse ethnic groups calling Xinjiang home. The CPPCC regional committee functions as a consultative body where members from different political parties, organizations, ethnic communities and sectors of society air their opinions. It also has more than 500 members.

Apart from routine items, the adoption of Xinjiang's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) featured prominently on this year's agenda. The regional government had drafted the plan based on the recommendations of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Regional Committee. The draft was submitted to the regional people's congress for review at this year's full session. CPPCC regional committee members also offered their suggestions. The regional GDP growth target is set at 5.5-6 percent for the 15th Five-Year Plan period, as compared to a year-on-year increase of 5.5 percent in 2025 and an average annual growth rate of 5.9 percent from 2020 to 2025.

The plan details key priorities such as strengthening regional security, fostering new growth drivers and boosting all-around opening up. Sci-tech innovation, talent development, ethnic unity and eco-environmental protection are highlighted. Priority is also given to addressing challenges in south Xinjiang, where development lags behind the north.

As for the 2026 agenda, the government work report delivered to the regional people's congress by Erkin Tuniyaz, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Regional Committee and Chairman of the regional government, outlined several tasks.

For instance, the autonomous region will step up its participation in the Eastern Data, Western Computing initiative, developing green intelligent computing centers and promoting better integration between computing capacity and energy supply. It will continue with its three-year development plan (2025-27) for the low-altitude economy, a rapidly emerging sector that includes drone delivery, aerial sightseeing and other businesses operating below 1,000 meters above ground. Plans are also underway for future-oriented sectors such as aerospace, information technology and carbon-neutral coal-based energy.

At the same time, the authorities will accelerate development in south Xinjiang. New projects with high job creation potential and broad spillover benefits are being planned, alongside efforts to coordinate development between south and north Xinjiang. South Xinjiang, which includes Kashi (Kashgar), Hetian (Hotan) and Aksu prefectures and Kezilesu (Kizilsu) Kirgiz Autonomous Prefecture, is home to a large rural population and has been a key focus of poverty alleviation and the ensuing rural revitalization campaign.

The regional Two Sessions also underscored Xinjiang's message of openness. Diplomatic envoys, representatives of international organizations, international journalists and overseas experts working in the region were invited to observe the sessions. An English version of the government work report was provided for their convenience.

These annual meetings always reveal more than policy targets. They show how Xinjiang is trying to promote innovation, inclusiveness and economic opportunities at the same time. This year's emphasis on hi-tech industries, greener development and global outreach points to a region thinking about its future. Xinjiang's next chapter will be defined not just by growth, but by tangible improvements that people across the region can truly feel in their daily lives.