China’s Xinjiang eyes closer ties with Pakistan and Central Asia to offset US sanctions

China’s far west region of Xinjiang is seeking closer ties and cross-border cooperation with Pakistan and Central Asian countries in a bid to counter US sanctions and consolidate its role as a gateway under the Belt and Road Initiative.

Khunjerab port – the sole border crossing connecting China and Pakistan – in Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region started full-year operations on Sunday. The border crossing previously closed from December to March because of adverse weather.

From April to October, more than 11,000 vehicles and 40,900 tonnes of goods passed through the port, representing year-on-year increases of 42.6 per cent and 72.7 per cent, respectively, according to state news agency Xinhua.

On November 26, Xinjiang officials held their first meeting with counterparts from the neighbouring Zhetysu region of Kazakhstan under a coordination mechanism between local governments and signed a memorandum on cross-border tourism.

The meeting, held near the Khorgos port between China and Kazakhstan, also covered topics including infrastructure, market regulation, vegetation and animal quarantine, and joint crime-fighting.

Khorgos is a gateway for China Railway Express, a rail logistics service connecting China and Europe.