In 2020, the number of inbound and outbound China-Europe freight trains through the Alataw Pass and the Horgos Port both set new records, demonstrating Xinjiang's advantages and status as the core area of the Silk Road Economic Belt. At present, Xinjiang has 23 national industrial parks, 19 first-class ports as approved by the central government. Xinjiang has become the most dynamic and open area within 1,500 kms.

　　Photo taken on December 30, 2020 shows a China-Europe Railway Express freight train loaded with family cars and accessories departs the Alataw Pass station, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. The train is expected to arrive in Poland in 15 days. In 2020, the number of the China-Europe (China-Asia) freight trains via the Alataw Pass station exceeds 5,000, a year-on-year increase of 41%. Photo by Chen Qian

　　Photo taken on September 8, 2020 shows the driverless smart transport vehicle carry materials in the workshop of Saurer Xinjiang Intelligent Machinery Co., Ltd. in the Urumqi Economic and Technological Development Zone (Toutunhe District) in Urumqi, capital of northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Photo by Cai Zengle

　　Photo taken on September 29, 2020 shows customers shop at the duty free park in Alataw Pass City of Bortala Mongol Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Currently, there are 553 trade, logistics and cross-border e-commerce enterprises stationed in the Alataw Pass Comprehensive Bonded Zone, the first one in Xinjiang. Photo by Cai Zengle

　　Photo taken on April 8, 2020 shows forklift operators load containers at the Urumqi Multimodal Customs Supervision Center in the Urumqi International Land Port Area in Urumqi, capital of northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. The Urumqi International Land Port Area is a key project in the core area of the Silk Road Economic Belt, with a number of functional projects in operation such as the China-Europe Railway Express (Urumqi) Hub and the Urumqi Multimodal Customs Supervision Center. Photo by Xie Long

　　Photo taken on December 30, 2020 shows the Alataw Pass customs officers conduct quarantine inspection on a train from Kazakhstan. The Alataw Pass Customs has implemented measures such as "7×24" uninterrupted inspection and clearance, appointment clearance and "green channel" to ensure efficient and smooth customs clearance. Photo by He Yi

　　Photo taken on July 16, 2020 shows technicians conduct inspection of equipment at the computer room in the Urumqi Cloud Computing Center in Urumqi, capital of northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. The Urumqi Cloud Computing Center has become the "most powerful brain" in Urumqi since being put into operation. Big data resources provide convenience services for citizens after being stored, analyzed and calculated by the Center. Photo by Zhen Shixin

　　Aerial photo taken on December 25, 2020 shows the Horgos railway interchange station. In 2020, the number of China-Europe Railway Express freight trains increased rapidly, replacing sea and air transportation and making rail transportation a priority for cargo shipment. At present, there are as many as 21 China-Europe Railway Express lines transiting the Horgos Port, making an important channel connecting the supply chain between China-Europe and China-Asia. Photo by Guo Jie