In the heart of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, photojournalist Lai Yuning documents the remarkable evolution of Khorgos – a border city experiencing unprecedented growth through cross-regional cooperation. As infrastructure projects funded by Suzhou municipality reach their fifth year of implementation in November 2025, Lai's comparative photography reveals new schools, modernized transportation networks, and upgraded medical facilities reshaping daily life.
The visual chronicle, incorporating archival images from mentor Wang Minbin, shows how a 2021 wastewater treatment initiative evolved into comprehensive urban renewal. "When I compare Wang's 2018 market scene with my 2025 shots of the same location," Lai explains, "you see concrete stalls replaced by climate-controlled commercial centers – and the same determined faces adapting to new opportunities."
Local authorities report that Suzhou's technical assistance programs have helped train over 1,200 Khorgos residents in construction and logistics skills since 2023. This development surge aligns with China's broader Belt and Road infrastructure priorities, positioning Khorgos as a vital Eurasian trade hub.
While preserving cultural landmarks like the historic Ili River promenade, the modernization drive has attracted 37 new enterprises in 2025 alone. For diaspora communities and investors tracking Asian development patterns, Khorgos' transformation offers insights into balanced urban growth strategies.
