Let me talk talk about the development of China's enormous Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. The sparsely populated area has always been a challenge to defend. This part of China borders eight countries and is the furthest from the seat of government in the east. The region was often invaded by foreign powers. Over the past 2,000 years, successive dynasties have stationed troops in the area. When they are not required for active duty, the soldiers spent a large part of their time farming. The combination of defence and agriculture has promoted Xinjiang's security and stability. Today, the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps is carrying on in the same tradition.

The western regions encompassing modern Xinjiang were of great strategic importance. A major trade route, later known as the Silk Road, passed through the area. It also formed a useful buffer against raiding nomadic peoples. A substantial military presence could only be supported by improved agriculture. In the first century BC, Emperor Wudi issued an imperial edict establishing Luntai as Xinjiang's leading city. Defensive troops began converting wasteland to farmland.

Throughout Chinese history, various foreign powers threatened to annex Xinjiang. Each invasion had eventually been defeated. The civil war of the 1940s could have severed the region from the main body of China for good. In tomorrow's episode, we will find out how Xinjiang was brought under the control of the New Socialist government. During the summer of 1949, the People's Liberation Army had taken all of northwest China except Xinjiang. When Mao Zedong proclaimed the founding of the People's Republic of China, Xinjiang was still under Guomindang control. Negotiations for a peaceful transfer of power looked promising but PLA troops were poised to attack if negotiations failed.

China's massive Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region is home to many different ethnic groups and borders eight countries. Maintaining control over this distant region has challenged Chinese rulers for the past 2,000 years. Many assigned troops that both patrolled the border and engaged in agriculture. The second episode of our 4-part series traces the fate of Xinjiang towards the end of the civil war. In the summer of 1949, PLA troops had liberated most of the northwest and were poised to enter Xinjiang. On October 1, 1949, Mao Zedong proclaimed the founding of the People's Republic of China. The Guomindang leadership in Xinjiang was divided into several factions. If negotiations failed, the PLA were ready to fight.

The PLA had successfully quelled the insurrections in Xinjiang. With its military objectives completed, the PLA changed its focus. In the early 1950s, Mao Zedong implemented a policy that had been used successfully many times throughout China's history. Troops that were not needed for military service were assigned to open up land for agriculture on a vast scale. Later, the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps was founded.

Xinjiang was liberated without any large-scale battles. But maintaining control in a vast under populated area would be difficult. Only agrarian and economic development could guarantee ongoing control of the region. The Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps was established to begin that task. The challenges that lay ahead were considerable. The first generation lived in primitive conditions far from their hometowns. The sacrifices they made were necessary to develop the region but the new settlers could not feel at home in the unfamiliar environment. Cultural development needed to go hand in hand with economic development. In tomorrow's episode we will see how the XPCC transformed some of Xinjiang's most unforgiving areas.

The Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region is one of China's largest and most sparsely populated areas. In previous episodes of this 4-part series we have followed efforts to develop Xinjiang and maintain its security. After the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, agrarian and industrial development became the main focus. Soldiers who were not needed for border security were assigned to construction and farming. Most of the soldiers were transplanted from their hometowns and felt unsettled. Familiar cultural forms could help them feel more at home in their new surroundings. As part of cultural work in the area, the renowned poet Ai Qing came to Xinjiang. The sacrifices of the new settlers inspired some of his best work.

The policy of assigning surplus troops to agricultural work has been used many times over the past 2,000 years. Xinjiang is far from China's main grain-producing areas. The policy tried to overcome the problem of long supply trains for troops. The Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps has established farms between the border sentry posts. Some of these have developed into small towns. Beitun was carved out of the unforgiving land on the border.

Many formerly desolate areas of Xinjiang have been transformed into fertile farmland. Agriculture and industry have improved remarkably over the past half century. But without increased trade, further development would be impossible. Ancient China's land trade routes passed through Xinjiang. Now, trade with neighbouring Central Asian countries is booming. Ensuring border security is key to protecting Xinjiang's trade links. In the last part of our four-part series, we will uncover the great advances made in Xinjiang. Training a highly skilled workforce and encouraging international trade are key to ensuring Xinjiang's continuing development and prosperity.

China's eastern seaboard is the country's main gateway for trade. It is also China's most economically developed region. In recent years, there has been a renewed emphasis on developing the western areas. Actually, development in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region began soon after liberation. In the past three episodes of our four-part series, we have seen how the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps turned barren land into productive farmland. But further development requires a trained workforce and profitable trade. Scientific breakthroughs have capitalised on Xinjiang's agricultural development. The Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps has played a key part in promoting the region's continuing economic development.

The Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps' activities have benefited people in the region in many ways. Infrastructure construction has stimulated the economy leading to higher living standards. In the border areas, XPCC farms have brought new services to ethnic minority groups living nearby. Doctor Li Mengtao left Shanghai over 30 years ago to serve in the corps. He is now the director of a small hospital near Beita farm treating locals and XPCC members.

Successive Chinese dynasties struggled to protect Xinjiang from incursions by its many neighbours. The policy of assigning soldiers to agriculture and construction in peacetime is not new. But no previous attempts have matched the success of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps. Since its formation by the PLA 50 years ago, the corps has established new farmland and industry in the region. Its tireless efforts laid the foundation for the region to seek further prosperity and security.