Xinjiang targets transportation

Five-Year Plan continues trend that has brought 'profound changes' to region

The Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region plans to further boost investments in key transportation infrastructure, including highways and airports, during the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25). It will also improve the facilities in core economic zones at border areas so the region will open up more under the Belt and Road Initiative, the region's chairman said.

Poor transportation and issues with water conservancy and energy infrastructure have always been key obstacles in the economic and social development of Xinjiang, which covers about one-sixth of China's territory.

"With continuous efforts in investing in and constructing such infrastructure in the past five years, they have been able to provide strong support for the development of Xinjiang and made profound changes to both urban and rural areas," Shohrat Zakir, chairman of the region, said in his government work report during the annual session of the regional people's congress in the regional capital of Urumqi on Monday.