"Xinjiang Day" Event of the China Pavilion Held during Expo 2020 Dubai

Themed by "Xinjiang Is a Wonderful Land—Technology, Innovation and Development", the "Xinjiang Day" event of Expo 2020 Dubai officially opened on November 11, 2021. With its main venue in Urumqi, the event was broadcasted live to global audience, by adopting online and offline means including video link to Dubai. It launched a total of five activities, including the opening ceremony integrating online and offline sections, online tour to the pavilions, enterprises’ contract signing, promotion presentations and exhibitions.

The event was attended and addressed by a number of Chinese and UAE high-ranking officials and representatives either online or offline, including Chen Weijun, member of the Standing Committee of CPC Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Committee and Executive Vice Governor of the region; Ni Jian, Chinese Ambassador to the UAE; Ali Zahiri, Ambassador of the UAE to China; Chen Jian’an, Vice President of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT); Zhong Bo, member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Committee of Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (XPCC); and Najib Ali, Executive Director of the Bureau of Expo 2020 Dubai.

Xinjiang’s executive vice governor Chen Weijun said that with the theme of "Building a Community with Shared Future for Mankind—Innovation and opportunities". In his message for the China Pavilion, President Xi Jinping called on "the people of all countries to work together, respond to the call of the times, strengthen global governance and pursue innovation-driven development, and advance the building of a community with a shared future for mankind." For thousands of years, the spirit of peaceful cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, mutual learning and mutual benefits embodied by the Silk Road has been passed down from generation to generation. Xinjiang is the core area of the Silk Road Economic Belt. It is an essential part of the "Eurasian Continental Bridge", and a crucial conduit for economic and cultural exchanges between the east and the west. As a major window for China's westward opening up, Xinjiang plays a key role in advancing the BRI development. The Xinjiang Day event was not only a window to know about Xinjiang, but also a sincere invitation from Xinjiang. He hoped that friends from home and abroad could come to and have a look around this beautiful region to better understand Xinjiang and China, feel the hospitality of the local people, appreciate the magnificent natural scenery and splendid history and culture of the region, and listen to the vivid stories happening there. The region sincerely welcomes people of insight from all circles to come for investment and business development, provide fresh ideas and inject new impetus into the development of an even better Xinjiang, contribute to promoting friendly exchanges between the two sides and write a new chapter of win-win cooperation.

UAE ambassador Ali Zahiri said that he had the chance to visit Xinjiang last autumn. “The experience imparted me with wonderful memories and a deeper appreciation for the breadth of China’s cultural diversity. The region is also rich in natural resources and energy sources and is distinguished by its proximity to the Gulf region,” he said, adding that he had full confidence in Xinjiang’s future development, and Expo 2020 Dubai would provide more opportunities for promoting inter-regional exchanges.

More than 200 business representatives participated in the event online or offline, including those from 16 countries and regions, including Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Japan, Iran, South Korea, the UK, the US, Australia, Austria, Germany, Poland, the UAE and China’s Hong Kong, as well as delegates of relevant Chinese provincial and municipal business associations, Xinjiang’s governmental departments and the business community. More than 6.5 million people watched the live broadcast of the event online.