Regional bonds remain robust, continue to grow

Since ancient times, neighbors have always worked together

Ever since the ancient Silk Road was opened up after imperial envoy Zhang Qian's expedition to the Western Regions, the easternmost portion of today's Central Asia, cooperation between Xi'an and Central Asian countries has been consistent and growing in terms of trade, agriculture, energy and many other areas.

Such bonds were strengthened on Thursday when a direct flight between Xi'an and Tajikistan's capital Dushanbe was opened. The ancient capital of China has become the first Chinese city connected by air with all five Central Asian countries with a total of 11 airlines operating flights every week.

"The number of airlines will continue to grow in the future to meet the needs for trade and investment activities," Ye Niuping, acting mayor of Xi'an, told reporters at a news conference on Wednesday.

Founded some 3,100 years ago, Xi'an, which is today the capital of Shaanxi province, served as the Chinese capital for 13 dynasties. During its heyday in the Tang Dynasty (618-907), when it was known as Chang'an, the city attracted a significant influx of foreign merchants, envoys and students from various countries.

During the Tang Dynasty, numerous scholars and poets visited the then Chang'an, seeking literary discussions, camaraderie and poetic indulgence.

Ye, also vice-governor of Shaanxi province, said Shaanxi has given full play to its geopolitical strengths and serves as a business and logistics hub facing Central Asian countries, particularly since President Xi Jinping put forward the Belt and Road Initiative in 2013.

According to Ye, trade volume between Shaanxi and Central Asian countries last year reached 2.08 billion yuan ($297 million). By the end of last year, 18 enterprises from Shaanxi had invested a total of $820 million into Central Asian countries, accounting for 15 percent of Shaanxi's outbound foreign investment.

"We have benefitted from the dividends of common development with Central Asian countries under the framework of the BRI and we will continue to enhance investment and trade exchanges with Central Asian countries so as to make greater contributions to the high-quality development of the Belt and Road," Ye said.

Home to a number of world-renowned historical sites, including the Bell Tower and the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, Xi'an has 159 museums and attracts over 30 million visitors each year.

People-to-people exchanges are a highlight of the cooperation with Central Asian countries, with more than 1,000 young people from these countries currently studying in Shaanxi.

With scholarships provided by local governments, the students are majoring in business management, engineering construction, mechanical technology, agricultural technology and Chinese language, Ye said.

Thanks to the logistics enabled by the China-Europe Chang'an freight trains, some Central Asian young people have started businesses to engage in cross-border trade between Xi'an and their home countries, he said.

In November 2013, the first China-Europe Chang'an freight train departed from Xi'an to Almaty in Kazakhstan. Since then, the number of Chang'an train trips has steadily increased, reaching 4,639 last year.

Yu Jun, deputy director-general of the Foreign Ministry's Department of European-Central Asian Affairs, said the cooperation between Xi'an and Central Asian countries epitomizes the greater regional cooperation between China and Central Asia.