The Chinese government Monday published a white paper on the development and progress in Xinjiang, stressing national unification, ethnic unity and social stability are the "lifeblood" for the region's development and progress.

The paper, released by the State Council Information Office, reviewed the profound changes that have taken place in the past 60 years in northwest China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, which accounts for about one sixth of the country's land territory.

It also slammed the "East Turkistan" forces for seriously disrupting Xinjiang's development and progress by trumpeting separatism and plotting and organizing a number of bloody incidents of terror and violence.

The 52-page document is divided into seven sections: Swift Economic Development; Remarkable Improvement in People's Lives; Steady Development of Social Programs; Preservation of Ethnic Cultures; Upholding Ethnic Equality and Unity; Protecting Citizens' Rights of Freedom of Religious Belief; and Safeguarding National Unity and Social Stability.

(Xinhua News Agency September 21, 2009)