Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Xinjiang from July 12-15, his first visit in eight years according to Global Times, underlining the new stability in the region and the importance of the area as a major hub of the East-West Belt and Road Initiative. Global Times reported the trip as emphasizing the role of Xinjiang as the hub of the Belt and Road bridgehead for westward opening-up, to “break the US economic blockade.”
On July 13 President Xi visited the Urumqi International Land Port, observing the operation of various areas of the China-Europe Freight Train assembly center. “The Belt and Road Initiative has borne fruit since it was initiated. As the joint building of BRI continues to advance, Xinjiang is no longer a remote corner but a core area and a hub. What you have done is of historic significance,” he told the local representatives.
Xi also visited Xinjiang University and learned about their history. Xi said that all ethnic groups enjoy equality, unity and progress under the socialist system, stressing that the Communist Party’s theories and policies concerning ethnic groups are sound and have produced the desired effect. He called for promoting research on the basic issues of the community for the Chinese nation.
