Xi Jinping is first Chinese president to attend Xinjiang anniversary celebration

Accompanying Xi are Wang Huning, China’s No 4 official and top ethnic affairs adviser, and Cai Qi, his chief of staff and No 5 official

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Xi Jinping is first Chinese president to attend Xinjiang anniversary celebration. Photo: Xinhua

Alcott Weiin BeijingandWilliam Zhengin Hong Kong

Published: 6:29pm, 23 Sep 2025Updated: 2:09am, 24 Sep 2025

China’s President Xi Jinping has arrived in Urumqi to mark the 70th anniversary of the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, according to state media reports, making him the first national leader to be present for such a landmark celebration.

Xi arrived in the regional capital on Tuesday afternoon, along with two members of the Politburo Standing Committee, the top Communist Party body, state news agency Xinhua reported.

Accompanying Xi are Wang Huning, China’s fourth-ranking official and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, the country’s top political advisory body overseeing ethnic and religious affairs; and Cai Xi, the president’s chief of staff and China’s No 5 official.

The historical visit by the president “fully demonstrates” how the party leadership “attaches great importance” to its work in Xinjiang and its “cordial care for cadres and people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang”, Xinhua said.

People of various ethnic groups line the streets of Urumqi to welcome the delegation from Beijing headed by President Xi Jinping. Photo: Xinhua

According to the report, Xi extended “sincere greetings and heartfelt wishes to the people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang” as he met with representatives from “all ethnic groups and all walks of life” shortly after his arrival.

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Xi Jinping is first Chinese president to attend Xinjiang anniversary celebration

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Accompanying Xi are Wang Huning, China’s No 4 official and top ethnic affairs adviser, and Cai Qi, his chief of staff and No 5 official

Accompanying Xi are Wang Huning, China’s No 4 official and top ethnic affairs adviser, and Cai Qi, his chief of staff and No 5 official