New tales in the Gobi

By Lu Jingxian Source:Global Times Published: 2014-7-4 1:18:01

 


 

Locals shop at the Urumqi International Bazaar on July 11, 2013. Photos: Cui Meng/GT



Accounting for one sixth of China's territory, home to a population of 22 million and rich in natural resources, the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region is set to embrace a new growth momentum created by the central government's initiative in developing  a Silk Road economic belt, with the prospect of becoming a hub connecting Asia and Europe.

Though now making headlines more often for its anti-terrorism efforts, Xinjiang is also a frontier of reform and development in Northwest China. As with other parts of China, Xinjiang is riding a wave of urbanization that is expected to offer a better solution to the issues of unemployment and poverty and improve ethnic cohesion.

Urbanization has helped create the dazzling economic miracle of China in the last decade, but Xinjiang, with its unique geographic location, ethnic composition and development level, has to be innovative in drafting an economic development plan. A development strategy with a heavy focus on infrastructure may not be enough to provide the force to drive Xinjiang's economy forward.

The Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (XPCC), backbone of local economic development, is tasked with establishing new cities in Xinjiang, with a special focus on southern Xinjiang, now plagued by a serious terrorism threat. The XPCC has set the goal to build one city by each of its 14 divisions within the next three to five years.

The private sector is expected to provide more vitality to local development. The private sector contributed 27 percent of local GDP in 2013, providing over 2 million job opportunities and playing an important role in maintaining social stability. The private sector is also showing greater flexibility in making inroads in foreign markets, especially in Central Asia.

Central government emphasized in the second central working conference on the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region at the end of May that ethnic unity is the lifeline of all ethnic groups and the footstone for the development and progress. While making sure of Xinjiang's social stability and lasting peace, the government also called for the region to step up its opening-up process to build a prosperous Xinjiang.

In this special report, we present you with a comprehensive report of how Xinjiang is trying to stage an economic takeoff through urbanization and developing the private sector, with the support of the central government and the whole country. Xinjiang is facing a major historical opportunity.

Posted in: Economy

blog comments powered by Disqus