High-tech careers draw young to Xinjiang Software Park

Li Mei, 31, returned to Xinjiang from Nanjing, capital of East China's Jiangsu province. She set up a technology company in the park in the hope that she can contribute to her hometown. Most of her staff members in key positions are about 30 years old.

The average age of more than 8,500 staff members in the park is about 35 years old, the park said.

Yang Qing, 31, also returned to her hometown, Urumqi, to work as the park's publicity person last July. Her experience as a hostess and reporter makes her competent to do the job.

"I enjoy the job. I am here representing the younger generation in Xinjiang who work hard for the digital economy. Xinjiang will be better," she said.

The park, established in 2015, aims to take advantage of Urumqi's location and boost cooperation with companies in neighboring countries.

Feng Xiaojie and Xu Wenrui in Urumqi contributed to this story.