Xinjiang 2nd in terms of trade growth

The Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, China's northwest doorway to Central and West Asia, ranked second among the country's fastest-growing provincial-level regions in terms of foreign trade in 2023, highlighting its significance as a key player in the country's global trade network, officials and experts said.

Going forward, the establishment of a pilot free trade zone and a proactive policy package, coupled with Xinjiang's diverse range of industries and geographical advantages, bode well for further bolstering the region's trade growth and economic development, they said.

Trade value of Xinjiang, which holds extensive trade connections with 192 countries and regions, reached 357.33 billion yuan ($55.72 billion) last year, up almost 46 percent, outpacing the national average by 45.7 percentage points, said Li Qinghua, deputy head of Urumqi Customs, at a news conference.