BEIJING -- China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region respects and protects ethnic minorities' right to learn and use their own spoken and written languages, according to a white paper released on Friday by the State Council Information Office.

The regional government takes a sound approach to protecting the spoken and written languages of all ethnic groups, and encourages them to learn languages from each other, said the document titled "CPC Guidelines for Governing Xinjiang in the New Era: Practice and Achievements."

Xinjiang has autonomous areas at all three levels -- regional, prefectural, and county level. It has five autonomous prefectures and six autonomous counties, all of which enjoy extensive autonomy as prescribed by law.

The people of all ethnic groups have the rights to participate in the administration of state affairs, to receive education, to use and develop their own spoken and written languages, and to preserve and protect the fine traditional culture of their own groups, the white paper said.