The Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (XPCC)

1. Introduction.  The idea of Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps emerges from centuries old Chinese political tradition of allocating land and other resources to local armies to develop and defend frontiers. The XPCC was founded in 1954, initially, with soldiers from the PLA. China has so far established 13 such Production and Construction Corps.  As its economy improved, most similar Corps were abolished and now only the XPCC remains. This short paper introduces this unique organisation in a province that borders India.

2. Origins.     XPCC began as a paramilitary organisation under the CPC, with military and civilian personnel in 1954. It was disbanded in the chaos of Cultural Revolution in 1975 and was reestablished in 1981 after Soviets moved to Afghanistan. The XPCC is now deemed a special organisation, with powers to handle its own administrative and judicial affairs within farms and townships it has developed from barren lands in Xinjiang. It is a very large organisation in which only 12% of the population are Uighurs. About 60% of XPCC’s 2.8 million members are associated with the regimental farms and the remaining work in industrial enterprises and public sector.  The XPCC is predominantly a Han organisation with 86% Hans.

3. Organization of the XPCC. The XPCC is divided into 14 divisions and 179 regiments which operate as farms and enterprises. The XPCC HQ ranks as equal to the XUAR Provincial government and its divisions are equivalent to the municipalities. The main leaders of XPCC are: First Political Commissar, Chen Quanguo, (also the XUAR Party Secretary), Political Commissar, Wang Junzheng and Commander, Peng Jiarui. The two highest leaders in the XPCC- Political Commissar and Commander are appointed by Centre. Since April 2020, Wang Junzheng is the Secretary of the Party Committee and Political Commissar of XPCC . XPCC is under a dual control of the Central and the Provincial Government with Central Leading Group for Xinjiang exercising authority over both XUAR and XPCC. This group based in Beijing is headed by Wang Yang. There are Party Committees at all levels of XPCC to ensure party control. 

4.  Functions of XPCC.   The XPCC is deemed a  "Special Force"  and its military links have reduced over time. Yet every member assumes the dual role of soldier and worker, and border defense and social stability is envisaged as role of XPCC. The XPCC  undertakes some military functions and has a military department, equivalent to the provincial military district and has armed police corps and provides army reserves. Being in a restive province, XPCC regards the militia training as an important task. Its Divisions 1, 3 and 14  operate close to Indian border. XPCC has supported regular troops during the Sino-Indian war of 1962. Apart from security,  agriculture in remote barren areas is an important role of the XPCC. This has made many deserts like Gobi desert, Taklimakan and Gurbantungut deserts arable and habitable. The regiments of XPCC run farms and  set up hospitals, clinics and schools, and carry out family planning policy. It also dabbles in construction projects, urban infrastructure, housing projects and animal husbandry. They also take part in wide range of industries including oil drilling and mining. XPCC also runs two universities – the Xinjiang University and Shihezi University. It also has its own newspaper, the Bingtuan Daily, and TV Channels.

5.  Relationship Between XUAR and the XPCC.  The XPCC’s role overlap party, province, central government, military and enterprise. Over a period, with increasing roles in making new cities, central support has increased to 90% of XPCC’s budget. XPCC being a very powerful organisation equal in rank has strained relations with province and even local populace. However, XPCC also plays a crucial role in regional growth and has XUAR Party Secretary as its defacto head balancing the relations. According to official documents, XPCC plans to establish 20 more new cities before 2030.

6. XPCC and Uighur Issues in Xinjiang.  XPCC has played a role in the repression of Uighurs. This is since social stability and fight against separatists, religious extremists and terrorists have been a designated roles of XPCC.  As per the study of The Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI), aside from its repression of Muslim Uighurs, the XPCC has also been involved in religious control of Christians. The XPCC’s public security departments have dismantled and closed down many unsanctioned mosques and religious schools. As a response to the role played by XPCC, in Jul 20,  US sanctioned Chen Quanguo, Sun Jinlong and Peng Jiarui who are current and previous Commissars of the XPCC citing serious human rights abuse in Xinjiang. This sanction restricts XPCC’s international trade, limiting operations to China and bans leaders’ travel to the US. XPCC is also banned from access to US technology and goods. This severely impacts XPCC which is an enterprise with stakes in around 800,000 firms in 140 countries.

7. Conclusion.  The XPCC is literally a state inside the state in our neighborhood which plays a highly supportive role in a restive Xinjiang. It will also be of support to the PLA in future conflicts.  Currently it has certain budgetary constraints due to rising pension bill. Due to fast economic developments in other parts of China, XPCC career is not that attractive anymore.  However central support has been increasing and more cities will be built by them as per plans. It also has a strained relation with the province. The White Paper (2014) states that in the new era, “XPCC should never be allowed to weaken, but rather be strengthened”.  As far as India is concerned, when assessing border related issues, the presence of a quasi military organisation like XPCC in Xinjiang must also be factored by own planners in PRC’s capacities. The rationale behind such a border enterprise is also an idea that may be considered by India in own borderlands.

 (The views expressed in the article are of the author and do not reflect the official views.)