Organized by the Beijing Journalists Association, a group of reporters from 10 Beijing-based media outlets visited the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region a year after it has witnessed significant development in its security and government administration.
Since 2011, the region has been receiving healthcare, education and construction help, which have been of immense help in improving its people's standard of living.
The group of journalists visited a local public security's bureau on the first day, taking a chance to view its anti-terrorism exhibit. Weapons made by local insurgents like rifles, knives, grenades and other explosive devices are on display.
After launching an anti-terrorism campaign in May last year, local authorities were able to bust a total of 181 groups reportedly involved in terror offences.
Officials admitted that since the region's security situation has been gradually improving, more tourists have visited the area. In 2015's first half, it has already received 15 million domestic visitors, a 16-percent year-on-year increase, and nearly 700,000 foreign visitors, an 8-percent jump.
According to the Xinhua News Agency, Xinjiang has been active in tapping the potential of its natural resources, such as hot springs, deserts and mountains, to attract more tourists.
Global Times editor-in-chief Hu Xijin aslo lauded the region's tourism efforts and remarked that "encouraging more tourists to visit Xinjiang could greatly boost the local individual economy."
To help Xinjiang boost its economic growth, China's central government has also mobilized another round of support packages, financially backed by 19 provincial-level governments in the country.
Lu Yuguo, an official at the region, said that the Beijing government in particular was assigned to help Xinjiang's Hotan City by investing 7.7 billion yuan in 578 projects since 2011.
"Beijing plans to invest another 10.6 billion yuan to support Hotan's growth in the next five years," Lu revealed.