Xinjiang at 70: A Visible Transformation and Confidence for the Next Chapter

Seventy years after the establishment of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, what speaks loudest is the change you can see. Distances that were once obstructed by desert terrain are now traversed by power lines, railways, and expressways. Trade that used to pass from oasis to oasis now rides barcodes and fiber-optic cables into national and cross-border markets.

Urumqi, the capital city of Xinjiang, serves as the region’s political, economic, and cultural hub, as well as a gateway for westward extension of the New Eurasian Land Bridge. Alongside this modern engine, Kashgar demonstrates how tradition and renewal can advance in tandem, while its historic city center preserves a living heritage in crafts, music, and architecture. The Kashgar Free Trade Zone and Kashgar University are creating new opportunities in trade facilitation, cross-border investment and services, and talent cultivation. Wind and solar fields in the cities of Hami and Turpan continue to deliver clean electricity eastward. In the north, the Ili River Valley’s Khorgos dry port, anchored by multimodal logistics and digital customs, links factory floors in Urumqi and small workshops in Yining to consumer markets across Central Asia. This direct connection turns proximity into participation in regional growth. Prefectures once considered remote are becoming hubs for transport and industry.

For households, progress manifests in the fabric of daily life: reliable commutes and stable jobs, children having access to schools, accessible and affordable housing and healthcare, and, under the protection of the rule of law, freedom from threats of terrorism and violence. The rights to basic needs and development are grounded in real-life situations, not just theories.

Economic change involves not just the speed of growth but also the setup for future growth. Xinjiang is transforming from a remote frontier to a crucial hub for westward cooperation. On one side stand traditional exports in oil, gas, and coal. On the other is a rapidly expanding renewable energy sector, featuring solar, wind, and emerging hydrogen technologies coupled with storage solutions. Gigawatt-scale energy plants feed ultra-high-voltage transmission lines, delivering green power across long distances while supporting cleaner load profiles in the country’s industrial heartlands. Petrochemicals, new materials, electronics and equipment manufacturing round out key links in supply chains, boosting resilience and the capacity to move up the value chain.

As a corridor, Xinjiang’s connections with Central Asia, Russia, and Europe are continuing to expand. Rail lines through Alashankou and Khorgos have reduced travel costs and improved reliability. Border cities are modernizing logistics, customs clearance, and bonded services with digital documentation and efficient warehouse operations. Set in the Ili River Valley, the Khorgos dry port reflects sustained investment and emerging opportunity. Its operation facilities, container reloading capacity, and increasingly standardized processes are turning a geographic region into an economic artery. Logistics parks in Urumqi and Ili have transformed from pilot status to large scale facilities that integrate small manufacturers, farmers, and e-commerce sellers into national and cross-border distribution. The same invest in building this infrastructure is reshaping tourism. Kashgar’s restored old city showcases rich history, unique crafts, and delicious cuisine. With inspiration drawn from literature and film, the landscapes of Altay have become a magnet for travelers seeking vast skies and serene alpine scenery. The Duku Highway, renowned for its seasonal drama, translates scenic beauty into service-sector jobs and new income streams for communities along the route.

Social governance and public security have improved, leading residents to describe their experiences as daily order, a sense of predictability, and the freedom to plan. Robust public services and community-level initiatives have created safer streets and more confident markets. For families, that combination matters. A stable job, a local hospital, affordable healthcare, reliable public transport, and simplified access to government services are essential for a functioning community. On this basis, religious life and ethnic cultures proceed in an orderly way under the law. At the same time, public spaces are becoming more inclusive and rules are being more widely understood and abided by. Security and development are interconnected, creating a positive and forward-looking social atmosphere.

Xinjiang has recently become the focal point of international discussion, often surrounded by noise and misinformation. A broader and more direct form of exchange is helping to cut through that noise. In the first half of 2025, Xinjiang welcomed approximately 130 million domestic and international visitors, representing a year-over-year increase of about 11.15 percent. Travelers traveled through deserts and mountains, cities and villages, talking with drivers, shopkeepers, students, and guides. What people observed and experienced in their daily lives provided genuine insights into reality. In the long term, these first-hand accounts, normal conversations, and situations are often more convincing than any press release.

Xinjiang’s geographical importance is expected to grow, driven by three key trends. First, an emerging energy sector. Its abundant solar energy and wind resources give the region a competitive edge. The focus should be on developing energy storage technology and system, flexible grids for efficient electricity distribution, and green hydrogen projects. If these advancements progress together, Xinjiang can not only export clean power but also develop local low-carbon industrial clusters. This extends beyond just polysilicon and modules to include battery materials, power electronics, and precision components, generating higher added value and creating skilled jobs.

Second, the economics of trade routes. Time and certainty are the real currencies of inland commerce. Efficient customs, standardized digital paperwork, and true multi-modal links will determine whether rail and road stay competitive as geopolitics and shipping prices shift. For Khorgos and Alashankou, the opportunity lies in growing from gateways into full hubs, adding assembly, distribution, and settlement services for local added value. That shift depends on rules that align with partners, predictable procedures, and professional services that meet international standards.

Third, the promise of jobs and opportunities. As logistics, manufacturing, energy, and services industries grow, so do the career paths within them. From maintaining power grids and operating machinery equipment to facilitating cross-border trade and tourism, people from diverse communities can find employment opportunities. New businesses, such as cafés, cultural studios, smart farms, and desert sports, help young people stay, while also attracting those who have left to return. The result is a stronger job market and a society more confident about the future.

Pragmatism is a bridge to cooperation with the outside world. Cross-border power grids can lower costs for communities. Inland ports and logistics corridors ensure the reliable movement of goods. Green industries cut emissions while creating skilled jobs. Education exchanges help build talent across borders. When these projects are based on clear, transparent standards, they become practical means for governments and companies to collaborate and deliver tangible benefits.

Seventy years mark both a milestone and a new beginning. The coming decades will see a focus on achieving sustainable growth, fostering confidence, creating lasting opportunities, and ensuring a stronger rule of law that people feel in their everyday lives. Enduring stability remains the central goal. Within China’s development and the broader regional context, Xinjiang is well-positioned to become a new growth center. Steady investment, strong institutions, and open communication will be essential, so more people can see the real Xinjiang and push back against bias and misunderstanding.

Leveraging its position as China’s gateway to Eurasia and building on its strengths in energy and talent, Xinjiang is transforming connectivity into tangible development and stepping onto the broader stage with greater confidence.

The author is the Deputy Dean of Institute of China’s Borderland Studies at Zhejiang Normal University.

The article reflects the author’s opinions, and not necessarily the views of China Focus.