China showcases Xinjiang Autonomous Region as east-west corridor for Silk Road Economic Belt

“In 2014, Xinjiang invested over 1 trillion yuan on fixed assets, up 25 per cent from 2013 and 3.6 times that of 2009,” said Li Xuejun, publicity chief for the Communist Party’s regional committee. “The investment developed its infrastructure, community, medical system, etc.” 

He said the goal was to make Xinjiang the corridor between the West and the East because of its geographic proximity to both regions. He was speaking at the opening of a Silk Road Economic Belt press workshop in Xinjiang yesterday.

He said this seminar was needed to provide more information about China’s policy to develop Xinjiang.

Xinjiang has a population of 23 million, 60 per cent of whom are members of ethnic minorities. Throughout its history, Xinjiang has been home to many religions such as Shamanism, Zoroastrianism, Buddhism, Taoism, Manichaeism, Nestorianism, Islam, and Catholicism.

Thanks to the strong investment in Xinjiang since 2009, its gross domestic product has grown by an average of 10 per cent a year. Last year, its GDP grew by 11.1 per cent, higher than the national average in China. Annual urban disposable income stood at 23,214 yuan (Bt130,000) per capita, and per capita net income of rural residents was 9,411 yuan.

Meanwhile, Xinjiang has continued to expand its investments to achieve its goal of linking trade between the East and the West.

“We cannot [say how much], but we have continued to have an investment plan in Xinjiang,” said Gao Jianlong, president of the Xinjiang Academy of Social Sciences.

To link with Asean, Xinjiang has invested in transport corridors via India to Myanmar.

In 2013, Chinese President Xi Jinping during visits to Southeast Asian countries proposed the joint construction of the Silk Road Economic Belt and 21 Maritime Silk Roads, an initiative of great significance. Xinjiang is an important gateway for China to advance its westward trade expansion, Li said.