Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Urumqi on Tuesday as part of a central delegation celebrating the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region's 70th founding anniversary. The visit underscores Beijing's focus on regional stability and economic progress in China's northwestern frontier.
Economic Momentum in Focus
Xi's itinerary includes meetings with local officials and residents, with discussions expected to highlight Xinjiang's 8.3% GDP growth in 2023 – outpacing the national average. Business analysts note increased infrastructure investments along the New Eurasian Land Bridge, positioning the region as a key hub for China-Europe trade.
Cultural Heritage Celebrations
Festivities will showcase Xinjiang's diverse ethnic traditions, featuring Uygur music performances and exhibits on ancient Silk Road artifacts. The region's tourism sector reported a 45% year-on-year increase in visitors during 2023's third quarter.
Cross-Strait Parallels
While addressing development strategies, Xi reaffirmed commitments to 'shared prosperity' principles applicable across all regions, including Taiwan. The remarks come amid strengthened economic ties, with cross-strait trade reaching $267 billion in the first half of 2023.
