The total import and export value of goods in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region grew by 48.4 percent year on year, reaching 200 billion yuan (about 27.56 billion U.S. dollars) in the first half of 2024.
This robust growth is attributed to the high-level opening up of Xinjiang, which has advanced connectivity between China and other countries, the prominent role played by the grand channels to the west, and optimized foreign trade methods.
In the first half of the year, Xinjiang traded with 205 countries and regions. Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan topped the list of trade partners, with growth rates of 45.8 percent and 8.7 percent, respectively.
Data shows that the volume of imports and exports through Xinjiang's ports reached 39.338 million tons, marking an 11.9 percent increase. According to railway authorities, 4,691 China-Europe Railway Express trains and 3,055 China-Asia Railway Express trains passed through the Alashankou and Khorgos ports, reflecting year-on-year growth rates of 10.1 percent and 5.3 percent, respectively.
Additionally, the import and export volumes by road, water, rail, and air transport in Xinjiang increased by 14.8 percent, 257.2 percent, 62.4 percent, and 18 percent, respectively.
The pilot free trade zones and comprehensive bonded zones have become important engines driving Xinjiang's foreign trade.
In the first half of the year, Xinjiang's free trade zones (FTZs) had a combined import and export value of 72.82 billion yuan (about 10.03 billion U.S. dollars), accounting for 33 percent of the total value of Xinjiang's foreign trade.
During the same period, the total import and export value of the four bonded zones in Kashgar, Khorgos, Alashankou, and Urumqi reached 95.39 billion yuan (about 13.14 billion U.S. dollars), up by 58.1 percent, accounting for 43.2 percent of the region's trade.
Cross-border small-volume trade, general trade, bonded logistics, and other trade modes have become more balanced, further optimizing the foreign trade structure.
China's Xinjiang sees foreign trade value up 48.4 pct in first half of 2024
The large number of tourists flocking to Urumqi City of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region during the ongoing Qingming Festival holiday have found themselves fascinated by creative local delicacies at a local grand bazaar.
Catering to the needs of increasing numbers of tourists visiting the region, vendors and shop owners at the Urumqi Grand Bazaar have developed creative specialty foods for tourists to savor the local delicacy over recent years.
It is a tradition for the Chinese people to return to their hometowns and pay respect to their ancestors and deceased family members on the Qingming Festival, a day for tomb sweeping which falls on April 4 this year.
During the three-day holiday that began on Friday, the Grand Bazaar was crowded with visitors eager to sample local delicacies including naan, a type of leavened flatbread and a staple food mainly for people of ethnic minority groups in the region. Various creative dishes featuring naan have emerged as must-try offerings for tourists.
One stall serves freshly brewed coffee into a "cup" made of naan, infusing the drink with a rich wheat flavor.
"The cup is edible, so I was intrigued and decided to give it a try. Both the coffee and the cup are surprisingly delicious," said a tourist.
The naan "cups" are also filled with sesame seeds and rose petals, then topped with local treats like milk tea, yogurt and ice cream.
Naan is also served fried with an array of seasonings and paired with Coke, capturing the attention of many tourists.
"The naan should have been fried and then added with seasonings. It is very delicious," said another tourist.
The creative ways of serving naan not only provides tourists with a fresh experience but also boosts consumption. On the first day of the holiday, the Grand Bazaar's pedestrian street received over 70,000 visits.
"As the most inclusive food in Xinjiang, naan can be paired with any of our delicacies. We are also exploring the idea of integrating naan with various specialty food of Xinjiang, such as dried and fresh fruits, to launch a series of products centered around naan," said Wang Fei, director of a naan theme pavilion at the Grand Bazaar.
Tourists fascinated by creative local delicacies at bazaar during holiday
