Ethnic Uygur City in Northwest China under Renovation

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Friday, June 06, 2003

Ethnic Uygur City in Northwest China under Renovation

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The first group of 62 residents living in the old city proper of Kashi, in western Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, has moved into spacious new houses as part of the urban housing transformation project.

The scheme began in September 2001, with a total investment of 660 million yuan (79 million US dollars). Nearly 5,000 households,or 35 percent of the residents of Kashi, are expected to move intotwo modernized residential quarters.

Kashi, with a history of more than 2,000 years, is the gateway and hub for the transfer of goods from China to central Asia and Europe on an historic trade artery and a channel for cultural exchanges between East and West.

The old city proper of Kashi, which covers an area of 4.25 sq. km., is inhabited by 126,000 people, the majority of whom are Uygurs.

The old district is jammed with old wooden houses, many of which are in poor condition after earthquakes, weathering and years without maintenance, posing a constant threat to the lives and health of residents. Moreover, the labyrinthine streets were too narrow for rescue vehicles, said Zhou Yuewu, director of the Kashi City Construction Bureau.

Road widening and reinforcing of key structures under top government protection are well under way, said the official.

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