Lives of people in Turpan, NW China's Xinjiang (2)

Ablet Yunus, a grape owner, takes stock of the bounty at his vineyard in Turpan, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, May 28, 2021. (People's Daily Online/Kou Jie)

With its dry and sunny climate, Turpan City has a long history of growing grapes and is famous for its local grape industry. The grape industry has become one of the critical economic means to alleviate poverty and boost incomes in the city. Growing grapes for 25 years, Ablet saw his revenues surge by leaps and bounds over the years, having expanded by 25 times his initial earnings. When he first started to grow grapes, he could only earn 800 yuan per mu (about 1/15 a hectare) each year. But now, his vineyard guarantees him a 20,000 yuan-per-mu yield each year. "Grapes in Turpan are as sweet as my happy life," he said.