Xinjiang strengthens economic, cultural ties with Hong Kong, Macao

In a bid to promote regional integration, Xinjiang is embarking on a series of initiatives aimed at enhancing economic, cultural, and social ties with the Hong Kong and Macao special administration regions.

Wang Xihua is a member of the 13th Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) of the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region who has spent the last 15 years living in Hong Kong, where he promotes economic and cultural exchanges between the two regions.

According to Wang, the economies of Hong Kong and Xinjiang complement each other well. The former holds distinct advantages in financial services, logistics, and shipping, while the latter is endowed with ample resources and robust enterprises. They offer each other extensive opportunities for investment, economic collaboration, and technological exchange.

"Hong Kong is Xinjiang's important investment source, and there is vast potential for future cooperation," he said. "Hong Kong can support Xinjiang in expanding the global reach of its specialty products by facilitating connections with international brands and enhancing design standards."

Wang played a crucial role in launching a direct flight route between Hong Kong and Urumqi in April 2025. The route has proven popular, with plans to increase frequency from four to eight weekly trips.

"This route has not only facilitated international tourism to Xinjiang via Hong Kong but also created an efficient air transport corridor connecting Central Asia, Xinjiang, and Hong Kong, boosting the global reach of Xinjiang's quality products," Wang said.

Li Dongfang is another Hong Kong-based member of the 13th CPPCC of the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. As president of the Hong Kong Xinjiang General Chamber of Commerce, he established a Xinjiang agricultural products exhibition hall in October 2024 in Hong Kong, which has achieved a monthly sales revenue exceeding HKD 500,000 ($64,100).

During Xinjiang's ongoing legislative and political advisory sessions, he advised piloting a cross-border prescription drug service program in Xinjiang to improve access to imported medications, supported by a charity fund for drug expense relief worth 500 million yuan (about $72 million).

Alongside Hong Kong, Macao is also participating in Xinjiang's development.

Distinctive Xinjiang industries, like textiles and traditional Chinese medicine, face challenges in expanding abroad from limited channels and inconsistent standards, said Wu Huawei, vice-president of the Macau Xinjiang Economic, Trade and Cultural Friendship Association. Wu is a member of the 13th CPPCC of the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region based in Macao.

"Xinjiang's industries need to expand their international market presence further, and Macao needs to expand industrial development space and better integrate into national development by deepening cooperation with China's mainland," said Wu.

He suggested that Xinjiang should leverage Macao's international services to help its enterprises overcome export barriers. The region should also use Macao's trade networks to explore new markets and integrate its traditional medicine into global certification networks.

He also proposed launching direct flights between Macao and Urumqi to facilitate deeper economic and cultural exchanges and collaborative development.