HUANGPU SHANGHAI

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Forum "Year of Tourism 2023" was held in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, from November 23 to 26.

Co-hosted by the SCO and the Xinjiang regional government, the forum aims to establish a platform to introduce measures supporting the tourism industry by member states, exchange advanced experiences in tourism development, discuss industry hot topics, and explore methods to overcome challenges.

During the forum, Ma Xingrui, Party chief of Xinjiang, and Erkin Tuniyaz, chairman of the Xinjiang regional government, met with heads of tourism administrations, representatives of international organizations, officials and business leaders, experts in the field of tourism, and diplomats from SCO member states.

Ma emphasized that hosting the SCO Forum "Year of Tourism 2023" in Xinjiang holds special and significant importance. Xinjiang will continue to leverage its unique natural scenery and rich historical and cultural resources, to deepen cooperation in the tourism sector, thus further enhancing comprehensive and mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields with SCO participants.

Xinjiang is an important part of the ancient Silk Road, and a core area of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). It is located at the hub of the Eurasian golden passage, and serves as a gateway for China's opening to the west.

Attendees acknowledged the important role of the tourism industry in the economic and social development of nations, and recognized Xinjiang's advantages in developing tourism. They expressed hope that the forum would better promote the development of Xinjiang's tourism industry, foster deeper exchanges and cooperation with Xinjiang in the field of tourism, and benefit people from all nations.

Since the beginning of this year, officials of the Xinjiang regional Party committee have visited the five Central Asian countries, holding high-level meetings with officials from these countries and achieving a series of practical results. This has sent a strong signal that Xinjiang's opening-up to the world is expanding. Officials from these countries have also visited Xinjiang to discuss friendly exchanges and practical cooperation.