On August 17, 1877, Zuo Zongtang petitioned to establish a province in Xinjiang. In the process of recovering Xinjiang, Zuo Zongtang not only attached great importance to the rectification of officials and the development of production, but also proposed the idea of abolishing the original military government system, establishing a province in Xinjiang, and implementing the same administrative management as in the mainland. On August 17, he formally proposed this proposal to the court, believing that the importance of Xinjiang was to protect Mongolia and the protection of Mongolia was to protect the capital."Establishing provinces and changing prefectures and counties is something that cannot be stopped." After recovering the South Road, he made the above suggestion again in February 1878. In May 1880, he proposed the first specific plan for Xinjiang to establish a province: he planned to establish a governor in Urumqi, a governor in Aksu, the Ili General would remain, and Talbahatai would be transformed into a prefecture; the entire Xinjiang would be divided into five provinces, with prefectures, departments, and prefectures and counties below the provinces. At that time, the Qing government believed that "Ili had not yet been recovered" and stayed in China pending discussion. When Ili was recovered the following year, Zuo Zongtang, who had been transferred to the governor of Liangjiang, specially submitted a document "Xinjiang Province is urgently discussed and the defense forces outside the customs are difficult to cut", emphasizing the importance of establishing a province in Xinjiang and fully demonstrating his concern for the border areas of the motherland. patriotic passion. The Qing government decided to establish a province in Xinjiang on November 17, 1884. The policy of long-term stability in Xinjiang proposed by Zuo Zongtang was finally adopted. This has far-reaching historical significance for consolidating the reunification of the motherland, strengthening northwest border defense, and promoting Xinjiang's construction.