70 Years of Progress in Xinjiang – Celebrating Development, Growth and Change

Digital Farming and Major Investments Drive Xinjiang’s Economic Transformation

In the cotton fields of Bortala Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture in Xinjiang, a quiet revolution is underway. Harvesting machines now roam the landscape with minimal human intervention, guided by digital sensors. According to Aoqierbate, head of the prefecture’s Bureau of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, hundreds of hectares of cotton can now be harvested by just one or two operators.

This mechanisation is part of a larger transformation sweeping through Xinjiang. Dilinur, a 42-year-old from a farming family in Bortala, once relied entirely on the weather for her family’s income. Now, she leases her land to a cooperative, ensuring a stable annual payment. With newfound time, she supplements her income by working in nearby villages and selling local specialties online. “With more sources, my income has multiplied and I have much more time than before. Life is getting better and better,” she said.

As the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region marks its 70th anniversary, decades of infrastructure investment, policy support, and technological advancement have significantly raised living standards. Life expectancy in the region has climbed from 30 years in the early 1950s to 77 years in 2024. The gross regional product reached over 2 trillion yuan (\$281 billion) this year, 1,668 times higher than in 1955.

Income levels have also surged. Urban residents now enjoy an average disposable income of 42,820 yuan (\$6,017), while rural net per-capita income has increased more than 160 times since 1978 to reach 19,427 yuan (\$2,730). These economic gains are reflected in everyday life, with better clothing, more varied diets, modern housing, and improved transportation.

In Ili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture, Shi Huan recalls a time when ferries were the only way to cross the Ili River. Today, eight bridges span the waterway, transforming travel and trade. A new 2.86-km bridge, set to open on September 30, will cut her commute from 30 to just 15 minutes. “Back in the day, you saw horse-drawn carts on the bridges. Then came the minivans, and these days, you see more and more modern family cars,” she said.

Xinjiang, which makes up one sixth of China’s land area, is also leveraging its vast natural landscapes to boost tourism. Regions like Ili are seeing growing numbers of visitors from across China and neighbouring countries such as Kazakhstan, drawn by the area’s alpine lakes, mountain ranges, and historic ties to the Silk Road.

The regional government has announced plans for 500 key projects in 2025, with a combined investment of 3.47 trillion yuan (\$487 billion). These will span infrastructure, energy, and digital sectors, as well as initiatives in education, health, culture, tourism, and public services.

Xinjiang’s role as a hub for international trade is also expanding. In 2024, over 16,400 China-Europe freight trains passed through the region—more than half of the national total—marking a 14 percent year-on-year increase. The rail route is a key part of the Belt and Road Initiative, moving goods such as electronics and textiles to Europe and returning with food, luxury items, and industrial equipment.

The China (Xinjiang) Pilot Free Trade Zone, launched in November 2023, now hosts more than 40,000 enterprises. The number of foreign-invested businesses has grown by 1.5 times since its inauguration. According to Urumqi Customs, Xinjiang’s foreign trade rose by 27.3 percent year on year in the first seven months of 2024. The region traded with 223 countries and regions, with 85.3 percent of total foreign trade volume coming from Belt and Road partner nations.

From smart farming to advanced transport links and growing international trade, Xinjiang is undergoing a transformation that is reshaping its economy and improving lives across the region.