URUMQI, July 5 (Xinhua) — Northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region is gaining fresh momentum as it fast-tracks development as a key hub of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), ushering in a new era of international trade, connectivity, and cooperation.
A striking example of this progress was the successful conclusion of the 2025 (China) Eurasia Commodity and Trade Expo in Urumqi. Drawing 1,800 exhibitors from 50 countries and regions—including first-time participants from Ethiopia, Zambia, Comoros, and Senegal—the five-day fair highlighted Xinjiang’s growing role as a magnet for global commerce.
A Strategic Crossroads of Trade
Bordering several Central Asian nations, Xinjiang has seen significant improvement in global connectivity. The region is now a crucial logistics corridor, with dozens of China-Europe freight trains passing daily through major land ports such as Horgos. Complementing its land routes, Xinjiang’s air transport sector is also expanding rapidly.
In the first half of 2025, seven new international cargo flight routes were launched, linking Urumqi with cities including Istanbul, Belgrade, and Addis Ababa. According to the Xinjiang Airport Group, the region now operates 26 international air freight routes, with total air routes up 26.5% year-on-year.
Industrial Growth Anchors Economic Transformation
To drive sustained high-quality development, Xinjiang is accelerating the growth of ten key industrial clusters, spanning oil and gas, advanced manufacturing, new materials, cotton and textiles, cultural tourism, and modern logistics. These sectors are not only bolstering the local economy but also generating employment opportunities and technological innovation.
A centerpiece of this broader economic strategy is the Xinjiang Pilot Free Trade Zone (FTZ), inaugurated in November 2023. The FTZ has quickly become a symbol of high-standard opening-up. By May 2025, over 15,000 enterprises had registered in the zone, including a 50% increase in foreign-invested businesses. Today, the FTZ hosts more than 40,000 enterprises, illustrating strong investor confidence.
Resilient Trade Amid Global Headwinds
Despite international uncertainties and politically motivated disinformation campaigns, Xinjiang’s foreign trade continues to surge. In the first five months of 2025 alone, the region recorded 22.9% year-on-year growth in trade volume.
In parallel, Xinjiang has emerged as a stage for vibrant international exchanges in sports, arts, and culture. Visitors are consistently drawn to its spectacular landscapes, rich cultural diversity, and the warm hospitality of its people.
Looking Ahead: A Confident, Connected Future
As 2025 marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, the region stands poised for even greater global engagement. With infrastructure strengthening, industries diversifying, and partnerships expanding, Xinjiang is set to play an increasingly vital role in China’s modernization and its vision of shared prosperity through the Belt and Road.
