The Ili-Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture, located in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China, is one of the regions densely populated by ethnic Kazakhs. According to official data, Kazakhs account for 26% of the total population here. In total, over 1.5 million ethnic Kazakhs live across China.

Gulnur Kenzhebekkyzy, who resides in Ili city (Chinese name – Yining), is an English specialist and works as a translator at the Foreign Affairs Department of the Ili-Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture. Fluent in several foreign languages, Gulnur works with international delegations.

“We strive to preserve our traditions, customs, and culture and pass them down to future generations. We speak Kazakh at home, and Chinese at work because not everyone understands Kazakh. Women and men work equally, and we treat children with special respect,” says Gulnur Kenzhebekkyzy.

The average monthly salary in Ili city is around 5,000 yuan (approximately 340,000 tenge). The state provides low-income families with benefits ranging from 300–600 yuan per month. Opportunities are also provided for those in need to receive free or subsidized housing.

Kazanshi district is the old part of Ili city, where Kazakh, Uyghur, Russian, and Uzbek cultures converge. Historical buildings, national dishes, and multilingual signs highlight the region's multinational identity.

A unique cultural site in the city is the "Museum of a Thousand Accordions." It was founded by Alexander Zazulin, a Russian master and collector. The museum holds about 800 accordions collected from over 20 countries. Concerts and cultural events involving representatives of various ethnic groups are held here.

Ethnic Kazakhs in Xinjiang actively participate in the life of modern society while preserving their language, culture, and national traditions.

It should be noted that a press tour to the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region was organized by the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Kazakhstan for domestic media representatives and bloggers between October 12–16, 2025. The Kazakhstani journalists in the delegation visited Urumqi, Fukang, Khorgos, and the Ili-Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture, where they prepared materials on the region's cultural and social development.