Shao Feng

(Director, State-Owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region)

Author

Shao Feng was born in Anhui Province in September 1962. With a master's degree, Shao Feng is a senior economist and pharmacist. Now serving as Deputy Party Secretary and Director of State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Shao has been engaged in management and reform of pharmaceutical sector, environmental protection and state-owned assets enterprises. Shao has strong theoretical proficiency and is an enthusiastic innovator.

Abstract

A forefront of China's openness to the west, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region boasts a geographical advantage and long history of cooperation with Central Asian countries. The Silk Road Economic Belt will be of great significance to the development and social stability of Xinjiang in the context of global common prosperity. From perspectives of history and reality as well as the world and the nation, this paper analyzes the significance, challenges and opportunities of building the Silk Road Economic Belt. Additionally, it discusses some theoretical issues such as concepts, targets and strategic focuses of the Belt. Based on Xinjiang's openness, advantages in development and strategic importance, the paper suggests that Xinjiang's state-owned enterprises should take the lead in the construction and development of the Economic Belt and how they can play their roles in the process. It also put forward feasible policy proposals concerning specific issues such as building interest communities and industrial cooperation zones.