[Aim] To examine the molecular phylogenetic relationship, genetic differentiation and taxonomic status of apricot chlorotic leaf roll (ACLR) phytoplasmas from Xinjiang isolates.[Method] The ribosomal protein gene (rp) of the phytoplasma of apricot chlorotic leaf roll was amplified by PCR with the specific primer pairs rpF1/rpR1 in the diseased apricot sample from Luntai County and Tuokexun County in Xinjiang Autonomous Regions, then the partial rp gene was cloned, sequenced and analyzed with other phytoplasmas.[Result] The results showed that a 1196 bp DNA fragment was amplified from the infected apricot. The fragment included partial rpS19 gene, complete rpL22 and rpS3 genes. The similarity and phylogenetic analyses showed that the sequence shared 95.7%-99.3% similarity with those of representative phytoplasmas in the 16SrⅤ-rp subgroup. The NCBI blast results showed that the genetic distance of ACLR-Xinjiang isolates was closely related to the rpV-C subgroup, which shared the highest homology of nucleotide and amino acid sequences of 99.2%-99.3% and 98.3%-98.4% with the strains of prunus avium virescence phytoplasma and jujube witches'-broom phytoplasma. Furthermore, virtual RFLP analysis showed that the phytoplasma might belonged to a new subgroup within the elm yellows group (16SrV). The most similar was the reference pattern of the rpV-C subgroup (AB052876), but showed significant differences in the profile with MseⅠ, SspⅠand TaqⅠ.[Conclusion] This study reported the rp gene sequences of ACLR phytoplasmas and classified phytoplasma of ACLR in Xinjiang for the first time. It provides the basis for early diagnosis and detection.