Core Viewpoint - The approval of the environmental impact assessment report for the G3033 Kuitun to Dushanzi to Kuqa expressway project marks the initiation of another major infrastructure project in Xinjiang, enhancing connectivity across the Tianshan Mountains [1][2]. Infrastructure Development - Xinjiang's road network has expanded significantly since the founding of New China, with total road mileage surpassing 230,000 kilometers by the end of 2024, representing a nearly 70-fold increase from the initial 3,361 kilometers [5][6]. - The modern transportation infrastructure in Xinjiang has transformed the region, with all prefectures and cities now fully integrated into the expressway era, creating a comprehensive network across 1.66 million square kilometers [6]. - Technological advancements in road construction have addressed various challenges, such as sandstorm resistance and frost heave design, exemplified by the use of grass grid technology on desert roads and the "smart sentinel" system on the G217 Duku Highway [6]. Rail and Air Connectivity - Xinjiang's railway network has reached over 9,557 kilometers, covering more than 80% of county-level administrative regions, with key projects like the Lanzhou-Xinjiang high-speed railway enhancing national connectivity [8]. - The region's rail freight volume reached 237 million tons in 2024, a year-on-year increase of 10.6%, with significant growth in the number of China-Europe (Central Asia) freight trains [9]. - Xinjiang boasts 28 civil airports, ranking high among provinces in China, facilitating rapid air transport and logistics [6]. Economic Transformation - The transportation revolution is reshaping Xinjiang's economic geography, creating a "5-hour economic circle" that connects previously isolated regions and promotes industrial collaboration [9]. - The planned investment in transportation infrastructure for 2025 is set at 80 billion yuan, reflecting a 13.5% increase year-on-year, indicating ongoing commitment to enhancing connectivity [10]. - As a core area of the Silk Road Economic Belt, Xinjiang is developing an open economic structure that integrates land and sea, with projects like the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor progressing [10].
新疆交通巨变谱写向西开放新篇章
Zhong Guo Xin Wen Wang·2025-09-24 09:00