Guangdong helps Xinjiang build cotton base

Guangdong has plans to help the northwestern Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region establish a major cotton manufacturing base.
The base, located in Xinjiang’s Jiashi county with an estimated area of 200 hectares, would be the largest in the region’s south with abundant cotton resources after it is completed by the end of 2011.
Construction will cost about RMB650 million (US$97 million) and will be funded by the Guangxin Foreign Trade Group and Guangzhou Suihua Clothing & Textiles in Guangdong, as well as the county government of Jiashi.
The base is expected to create 3,500 new jobs and generate annual revenues of RMB1.5 billion (US$224 million).
China.org.cn reports that China’s central government has been striving to help boost growth in the Xinjiang region. Under a "pairing assistance" program unveiled in March, 19 provinces and cities are each required to help support the development of different areas in Xinjiang.