Autonomous Region - Xinjiang
Meaning of the name - New Frontier
Xinjiang, full name Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (Uyghur: شىنجاڭ ئۇيغۇر ئاپتونوم رايونى (Shinjang Uyghur Aptonom Rayoni); Simplified Chinese: 新疆维吾尔自治区; Traditional Chinese: 新疆維吾爾自治區; pinyin: Xīnjiāng Wéiwú'ěr Zìzhìqū), is an autonomous region of the People's Republic of China (PRC). Xinjiang borders the Tibet Autonomous Region to the south and Qinghai and Gansu provinces to the southeast. It also borders Mongolia to the east, Russia to the north, as well as Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, and the Pakistan- and India-controlled parts of Kashmir to the west. Xinjiang includes most of Aksai Chin, a region claimed by India as part of its state of Jammu and Kashmir.
"Xinjiang" literally means "New Frontier", a name given during the Manchu Qing Dynasty in China. The name is considered offensive by many advocates of independence, who prefer to use historical or ethnic names such as Chinese Turkestan, East Turkestan (with Turkestan sometimes spelled as Turkistan) or Uyghuristan. Because of the association of these names with the independence movement, they are in turn considered synonymous with Pan-Turkic Islamist terrorism by the PRC government and local Han Chinese residents.
Major Cities:
Urumqi, Turpan, Kashgar, Karamay, Yining, Shihezi
Neighboring Areas:
Qinghai and Gansu Province; Tibet Autonomous Region
Municipal government office address:
2 Zhongshan Road, Urumqi 830041
Tel: (0991) 2803114
Website: www.xj.gov.cn