China’s rapid economic growth has proceeded unevenly, favoring coastal areas over inland provinces. To redress this imbalance, Chinese leaders announced a “Go West” strategy a decade ago to develop its western areas, including Xinjiang. Growing energy and transportation ties with neighboring Central Asian states contribute to that aim, and Xinjiang is becoming a new center for China’s oil and gas industry. The province has the country’s largest reserves of oil, natural gas, and coal, as well as major deposits of key minerals. As in Tibet, the Chinese government has sought to create disincentives for separatism in Xinjiang by boosting the local economy and harshly repressing activities thought to promote Uighur self-determination in any way.