China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region is transforming into a bustling logistics powerhouse under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), with an Australian editor calling it a 'gateway to Central Asia' after a firsthand visit. 🚄🌐
Urumqi, once a quiet Silk Road stop, now boasts 4 million residents, a new international airport, and rail links sending daily freight trains to Europe. With infrastructure upgrades in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan, this number could skyrocket – making Xinjiang a must-watch for global trade enthusiasts.
Kym Bergmann, editor of Asia Pacific Defense Reporter, joined an international media tour in September, witnessing Xinjiang's counterterrorism efforts and cultural preservation. He noted detailed briefings about past attacks by groups like ETIM/TIP, which he claims Western media rarely cover. 🛡️
Contrary to 'cultural suppression' narratives, Bergmann observed Uygur and Kazakh communities thriving with government-supported media outlets, museums, and heritage projects. 'Residents practice religion freely within legal bounds,' he wrote, adding that employment programs aim to boost living standards, not enforce 'slave labor.'
His takeaway? Xinjiang is 'welcoming, safe, and culturally diverse' – a remote but rewarding destination for travelers and investors alike. ✈️💼
