Silk Road Economic Belt – A Welcome Proposal
As the starting point of the ancient Silk Road, China’s Shaanxi Province has seven scenic spots that are candidates for World Heritage sites, such as the ruins of Weiyang Palace, the tomb of Zhang Qian (?-114 BC) and the Tang Dynasty West Market, which was a landmark of the Silk Road. Shaanxi Province is busy restoring these scenic spots in preparation for cooperation in tourism along the Silk Road economic belt.
At the tourism partnership forum of the Euro-Asia Economic Forum 2013, held September 26-28, officials and representatives from UNESCO, the Tourism Promotion Organization for Asia-Pacific Cities, and 40 countries including Malaysia, Indonesia, Nepal, Turkey, Greece, Slovenia, Italy, and Spain, gathered in Xi’an to discuss how best to implement cooperation in tourism along the Silk Road.
They believe that the Silk Road is an open tourism belt that extends from Northeast Asia in the east and Western Europe and North Africa in the west. They concluded that it is feasible to combine the ancient Silk Road and the New Eurasian Land Bridge to build a fascinating golden track of tourism in the 21st century.
Enhance Transportation Links
An international train line opened at the end of 2013, linking China and Europe. Starting in Xi’an, the railroad passes through Xinjiang and Central Asia, and will stimulate the development of railway logistics along the route.
China has invested in many large projects in Central Asian countries that require efficient transportation of a number of materials and facilities; conversely, countries in Central and West Asia are increasing their investment in western China. As a result, transport has become a priority that calls for immediate action. The aim of building a Silk Road economic belt is to optimize regional trade and production factors via transportation infrastructures in key cities along the Silk Road, which will promote regional economic integration. Consequently, a sound transportation network to facilitate regional trade and investment among East Asia, West Asia and South Asia is a must for the viability and prosperity of this economic belt.
Kazakhstan has set up a national logistics company and already established cooperative relationships with several cities in China. The company sent a working group to Xi’an to discuss cooperation on the new international train line.
With regard to air transportation, currently there is no direct flight from Xi’an to Central Asia; passengers have to change planes in Russia. The airport town in Xixian New Area, which is under construction, will solve this inconvenience. The airport will offer an international service and a 72-hour visa-free program. The airport town will combine the functions of commercial logistics, finance, convention and exhibition, and culture-themed travel.
In addition, Xi’an is introducing technology and gleaning expertise from China’s coastal ports to introduce an inland port service, combined with local transportation. This will enhance logistic efficiency and lower costs.
Reducing the cost of regional trade and investment is not only a global trend, but also the key to developing regional economic cooperation. In order to facilitate trade and investment, cooperation in customs, transportation, entry and exit inspection and quarantine, finance and information exchange must be promoted. And policy coordination and communication among countries must be enhanced. China is working towards this end.
