In the 1980s, Xinjiang attracted people to emigrate because

In the second half of 1980s, the main migration directions of migrant workers and businessmen in China were from rural areas to cities, from inland to coastal areas (Shanghai, Guangdong and Beijing have the largest populations) and industrial and mining cities.

In the second half of 1980s, the main reasons for the migration of migrant workers and businessmen in China were the existence of a large number of rural surplus labor, the relaxation of household registration system, the huge economic gap between urban and rural areas (the fundamental reason) and the increasingly convenient traffic conditions.

The main reasons why Xinjiang attracts people to move in are the development of border trade, the development of oil resources and the economic development brought about by the western development.