At the 2025 Legislators Forum for Friendly Exchanges in Urumqi, Russian State Duma member Maria Butina offered a firsthand account of Xinjiang's transformative progress during an exclusive interview with CGTN. Her observations painted a vivid picture of a region balancing cultural preservation with rapid modernization.
Butina, who spoke at the forum's 'High Quality Belt and Road Cooperation' session, highlighted Xinjiang's education system as 'a cradle for future innovators,' noting modern facilities and diverse curricula. She described Urumqi's markets as economic microcosms, where 'the aroma of spices mingles with the buzz of digital payment systems,' illustrating the blend of tradition and technology.
The lawmaker emphasized Xinjiang's role in Russia-China cultural collaboration, particularly through student exchange programs and joint research initiatives. 'What we're seeing here isn't just regional development – it's a blueprint for Eurasian connectivity,' Butina remarked, linking Xinjiang's growth to broader Belt and Road objectives.
