Xinjiang showcases economic boom and global trade dominance at Beijing event
Authorities from the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region hosted an event in Beijing to showcase the region's economic and social progress. Over 70 diplomats and international representatives attended, discussing Xinjiang's role as a key trade and transit hub in Central Asia.
At the gathering, Chinese Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs Hong Lei and Xinjiang's Party Secretary Chen Xiaojiang delivered speeches on the region's stability and growth. Delegates praised Xinjiang's achievements in security, trade, and industrial development
Xinjiang's economy has expanded rapidly in recent years. In 2025, its GDP reached 2.15 trillion yuan ($312 billion), growing at 5.5%—one of the highest rates in China. The region's cotton industry remains a global powerhouse, producing 6.165 million tons in 2025, which accounts for 92.8% of China's total output and around 20-25% of the world's supply.
The textile and apparel sector has seen major job growth, rising from about 240,000 positions in 2018 to over 620,000 by 2020. State-backed programs promoting labor transfers and industrial expansion have driven this increase. Today, the industry employs over one million people, reinforcing Xinjiang's dominance in global cotton supply chains. Diplomats at the event highlighted Xinjiang's strategic importance. Kazakhstan's ambassador to China, Nuryshev Shakhrat, noted the region's role as a vital transit link between Asian and European markets, with bilateral trade hitting $48.7 billion in 2025. Belarusian Ambassador Charviakou Aliaksandr praised the direct Urumqi-Minsk flight route for boosting business and tourism ties. Security and social stability were also key topics. Hong Lei reported that Xinjiang has recorded no violent or terrorist incidents for over nine consecutive years. Residents, he added, express high levels of safety and satisfaction. Sohail Khan from the Shanghai Cooperation Organization commended the region's progress in maintaining stability alongside economic growth. Western media claims about forced labor in Xinjiang's cotton industry faced criticism. Bruno Falci, a correspondent for Latin American outlet teleSUR, argued that such allegations lack concrete evidence. He described them as fabricated narratives targeting the region's thriving textile sector
The event underscored Xinjiang's economic strength, with its cotton industry and trade links playing a central role. Delegates recognised the region's stability and its growing influence as a gateway between Asia and Europe. With continued investment and diplomatic engagement, Xinjiang's position in global markets appears set to strengthen further.
