The reasons for the slow development of modern civilization in the four prefectures of southern Xinjiang are geographical environment, insufficient economic development, low educational and cultural level and ethnic and religious factors.

1. Geographical and environmental factors: Southern Xinjiang is located in the ecotone between alpine desert and Gobi desert, with bad climate, barren land and very bad natural conditions, which greatly restricts the local social and economic development and modern civilization construction.

2. Insufficient economic development: The economic foundation of southern Xinjiang is relatively weak, and the development of industry, agriculture and service industry is relatively backward, which affects the development of local modern civilization.

3. Low educational and cultural level: The educational and cultural level in southern Xinjiang is generally low, and many residents lack high-quality educational resources and cultural atmosphere, which also restricts the development of modern civilization in southern Xinjiang.

4. Ethnic and religious factors: Southern Xinjiang is a region where ethnic minorities live in compact communities. The local ethnic and religious culture has had a profound impact on the local socio-economic and civilized development, which is also a factor that needs to be considered in the construction of modern civilization.