For the last ten years, Wuxi has been providing various kinds of assistance to Akqi county, a rural region in Kezilesu Kirgiz autonomous prefecture, in the far west of Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region.

During that time, 122 officials and 100 professionals from Wuxi have traveled to Akqi to help develop the region's economy, and the county has made great strides in many areas from education and health care to culture.

Health care

The People's Hospital in Akqi was constructed by Wuxi government [Photo/ provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Wuxi municipal government has assisted Akqi with developing its health sector since March 2007, contributing to great improvements in health care standards in the county.

Doctors from Wuxi have mentored their colleagues at People's Hospital of Akqi County, and made plans to train key staff in Akqi in management and other professional skills to help the region promote a scientific and standardized health sector.

Wuxi has also helped the hospital build a pediatric department and intensive care unit and trained doctors at the People's Hospital to perform 36 difficult operations, to ensure that more patients are able to receive treatment in their home county.

Education

Akqi No.3 Kindergarten was built with investment from the Wuxi government. [Photo/ provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Wuxi government invested over 60 million yuan ($8.9 million) to facilitate the construction of new facilities at schools in Akqi, including three new kindergarten campuses, teaching buildings at a vocational school and several teachers' dormitories. It has also spent 7 million yuan ($1.0 million) on teaching equipment and donated a large amount of school supplies.