Hu Kaihong:
Now, it's time for the last question.
Hong Kong-based Economic Herald:
What progress has Xinjiang made in accelerating the building of the core area of Silk Road Economic Belt? Thank you.
Shohrat Zakir:
I'm glad to answer your question. Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region is committed to implementing the Belt and Road Initiative, focusing on "one port, two zones, five centers, and a customs-based economic belt." The "port" refers to Urumqi International Land Port Area, to be developed into a landmark project in the core area of Silk Road Economic Belt, playing an important role in gathering commodities, building industrial parks and attracting businesses. Currently, the China-Europe Train Urumqi Center is operating smoothly. The number of west-bound international freight trains departing from Xinjiang has now exceeded 3,000. The "two zones" refers to the Horgos and Kashgar economic development zones, located in the northern and southern parts of Xinjiang respectively. Enjoying preferential policies from the central authorities, the two zones are committed to attracting businesses, and making themselves important pillars and demonstration zones for innovative development in the two areas. The "five centers" refers to the five Urumqi-based centers covering land routes west of Xinjiang. Specifically, they are: a transportation center, a trade and logistics center, a cultural and sci-tech education center, a regional financial center, and a medical service center covering Central Asia. Meanwhile, we have promoted the effective implementation of a batch of major infrastructure as well as economic and social cooperation projects. At present, there are 21 civil aviation airports in Xinjiang, and more are under construction. The railway network now exceeds 6,000 km in length. Expressways among 14 prefectures and cities in Xinjiang form a network. The Lanzhou-Xinjiang high-speed railway has been operating for years. From January to October this year, our total foreign trade imports and exports increased by 28% year-on-year, and it is expected to maintain 20% annual growth or more. We have set up a pilot zone for innovation-driven development of the Silk Road Economic Belt, attracting more than 130 industry-university-research institutions. Last year, the added value of strategic emerging industries in the region increased by 13% year-on-year, and the added value of high-tech manufacturing industry increased by 33%. Xinjiang has carried out cross-border RMB business with 98 countries and regions. Habib Bank Limited of Pakistan has also set up an institution in Xinjiang, and the China-Kazakhstan Horgos International Border Cooperation Center has realized the cross-border transfer of Kazakh tenge cash. In addition, 12 hospitals in Xinjiang have joined the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Hospital Alliance and established remote medical service platforms with neighboring countries. In the past four years, we have admitted more than 20,000 foreign patients. The port economic belt, incorporating 19 national-level open ports, vigorously contributes to the development of an export-oriented economy such as the import and export commodity processing industry, border (cross-border) tourism, commodity exchange of people living along the border, and e-commerce. The "passage economy" is being transforming into an "industrial economy" and a "ports economy," and the geographical and resource advantages of Xinjiang are being translated into economic advantages. This is what we have already done in the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative, especially those taking advantage of geographical advantages as a core region of Silk Road Economic Belt. In the future, we will continue to increase the construction of core areas on the Silk Road Economic Belt westward. Thank you!
Hu Kaihong:
Today's briefing is hereby concluded. Thanks to the four speakers and thanks to the journalists.
Translated and edited by Chen Xia, Zhu Bochen, Wu Jin, Zhang Liying, Lin Liyao, Cui Can, Guo Yiming, Wang Yiming, Zhang Rui, Wang Qian, Fan Junmei, Yang Xi, He Shan, Li Xiao, Zhou Jing, Geoffrey Murray. In case of any dispute over a discrepancy, the Chinese version is deemed to prevail.
