A Tale of Two Cities Supporting Xinjiang

"Director Han, you don't need to look so worried."

Seeing Han Jidong sighing, Lao Xue couldn't help but offer some advice: "There are many problems on all sides right now, but the expert team are all knowledgeable. When they arrive, they'll definitely see our tireless efforts. Maybe they can offer some professional guidance, make some exceptions, or even provide some equipment support?"

Han Jidong shook his head. "Old Xue, you're oversimplifying things. This project has been going on on and off for so long. Now they've put me in this position to tackle the tough challenges. I'm prepared. No matter what the experts say, no matter how sharp their opinions are, we have to follow them. There's no other way out."

Yang Zhitong was on his way back to his office when the construction site manager called, "Director Yang, come quickly! A fight is about to break out at the construction site!"

Yang Zhitong's heart tightened. He hung up the phone and rushed to the construction site, flooring the accelerator the whole way, his mind in turmoil. When he arrived at the project site, he was dumbfounded.

Several tents were erected around the construction site, and a dozen herders sat inside, holding shovels and hoes, their faces full of anger, shouting slogans such as "Don't disturb the earth!" and "Give us back our irrigation canal!" They vowed to resolutely stop the construction.

Meanwhile, the construction team from Tianye Group was ready to go. Dozens of workers stood on the other side with their tools, all eager to get started, and a conflict was just a hair's breadth away.

"What happened?"

Yang Zhitong rushed over and grabbed Abduja Token, his voice trembling with panic, "Uncle Token, didn't we agree that I would give you an answer within three days? Why did things suddenly turn out like this?"

Abduja Token sighed helplessly, rubbing his rough hands, and said, "Director Yang, we didn't want this either! We've been waiting all day without any news, and we were already anxious. We don't know who spread the word that you're abandoning us and are going to partner with the investors to take over the irrigation canal. They also said that the project will take over all the water in Qianquan Lake, and our sheep and crops will die of thirst."

The more they thought about it, the more frightened they became, so they spontaneously came here to guard the site, refusing to let the construction team start digging.

Yang Zhitong knew without a doubt that someone was deliberately stirring up trouble behind the scenes. He was about to step forward and explain his plan to the herdsmen when a cold laugh suddenly came from outside the crowd.

He looked up and saw a familiar young man, accompanied by several people in work clothes, all with resentment on their faces.

"Director Yang, it's been a long time!"

The young man strode over. "I'm Aikber Miti, a former security guard at Shihezi Garden Airport. Not long ago, I led 20 of my colleagues to resign. The pay was low and the work was exhausting; nobody cared about our well-being."

He pointed to the construction site and tents, his voice so loud that everyone present could hear him: "Airport wages are low and nobody cares, now they're even taking over the herders' irrigation ditches. Are you cadres here to support Xinjiang to do real work, or to gain prestige?"

"Don't let the project end up being a success, giving you political achievements while we locals get nothing in return and end up destroying the environment we depend on for survival!"

Upon hearing this, several workers who had resigned along with Aikber Miti immediately joined in the commotion, shouting that they shouldn't believe their nonsense and that they couldn't afford to be taken advantage of. The herders also began to whisper among themselves, their faces growing increasingly suspicious.

Yang Zhitong knew he couldn't panic now; if he lost his composure, the situation would be completely out of control. He raised his voice and shouted, "Everyone, quiet down and listen to me! This matter is already being processed; just wait a little longer, and we'll have news soon."

Aikber Miti immediately retorted, "Wait? Can we afford to wait? What will happen to our sheep and crops if the irrigation canal is occupied?"

Yang Zhitong declared righteously, "The irrigation canal will absolutely not be occupied! I, Yang Zhitong, hereby guarantee that the project construction will not harm anyone's interests. Qianquan Lake is the lifeline of the herders, and the irrigation canal is their livelihood. I will never cross these two lines!"

He looked at Abdujah Token and softened his tone: "Uncle, and fellow villagers, I know you are all worried right now. If I were in your shoes, I would be worried too."

But please believe me, my purpose in coming to Xinjiang this time is not to gain prestige or for so-called political achievements, but to genuinely do something practical for this place and improve everyone's lives.

"But what makes us believe you?" someone in the crowd shouted.

Yang Zhitong knew that empty talk was useless; he had to take concrete actions.

He looked at everyone and solemnly said, "I will go to the Xinjiang Department of Natural Resources to clarify the issues of land use and water use for the project and give everyone a satisfactory answer."

Until a formal plan is finalized, the construction team will suspend work and will not touch any irrigation canals. Everyone is welcome to monitor this!

After listening to Yang Zhitong's firm and powerful words, Abduja Token recalled the practical things Yang Zhitong had done for the herders during his first aid mission to Xinjiang, and gradually felt more confident.

He stepped forward and said, "I trust Director Yang this once! Everyone go back and wait for his news. Don't cause trouble here. If a fight breaks out, it won't benefit anyone."

With Abduja Token's support, the emotions of the other herders gradually calmed down.

Aikber Miti wanted to say something, but his brother pulled him back, and he ultimately didn't speak.

Thank you for your trust.

Yang Zhitong breathed a sigh of relief. "I'll start preparing now, and we'll leave for Urumqi first thing tomorrow morning. During these three days, if you have any questions, feel free to call me anytime. My phone is on 24 hours a day."

He read his phone number aloud and asked his staff to write it down so that it could be given to herders in need.

The construction team leader stepped forward: "Director Yang, with work suspended for these three days, the construction schedule is even tighter."

"Without everyone's support, the project simply cannot proceed. Only by resolving people's livelihood issues can the project proceed smoothly."

That evening, Yang Zhitong pulled out an old folder from the bottom of the metal cabinet in his office. Inside were hydrological data of Qianquan Lake collected during his first aid mission to Xinjiang. The densely packed numbers recorded the changes in the lake's water level and water quality test results over more than a decade, as well as the water needs of the herders noted during each visit to pastoral areas.

He meticulously handwrote a petition, beginning with the striking words: "Projects must be developed, but people's livelihoods must not be forgotten."

He then carefully added the core content of the petition, stroke by stroke:

We fully support the implementation of Tianye Group's project, hoping that the project will drive local development and provide herders with stable employment and increased income.

We earnestly request the higher authorities to clarify the scope of the project land use, strictly prohibit the occupation of the Qianquan Lake irrigation canal and surrounding pastureland, and safeguard the basic production and livelihood of herders;

The project requires the construction of high-standard wastewater treatment facilities to ensure zero discharge of industrial wastewater, prevent pollution of Qianquan Lake's water source, and protect the "life lake" on which herders depend for their livelihood.

The project hopes to prioritize hiring local herders and unemployed individuals, provide skills training, and allow locals to share in the fruits of development.

We earnestly request relevant departments to strengthen supervision throughout the project, protect the legitimate rights and interests of herders, and ensure that the project proceeds in compliance with regulations and benefits the people.