STORY: One year into free trade zone, Xinjiang embraces further opening up
SHOOTING TIME: Recent footage
DATELINE: Nov. 2, 2024
LENGTH: 0:00:53
LOCATION: URUMQI, China
CATEGORY: ECONOMY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of Xinjiang
2. SOUNDBITE (Chinese): YAN ZHENGYU, Official of the port administration of the Horgos economic development zone

STORYLINE:

Friday marks the first anniversary of the establishment of the China (Xinjiang) Pilot Free Trade Zone (FTZ).

The Xinjiang pilot FTZ, which encompasses three areas -- Urumqi, Kashgar and Horgos -- stands as the first FTZ in China's northwestern border regions and the 22nd nationwide. 

As it embraces its first anniversary, the zone has shown promising results.

Statistics show that from January to August, Xinjiang's import and export volume increased by 30.9 percent to 285.32 billion yuan (about 40 billion U.S. dollars).

SOUNDBITE (Chinese): YAN ZHENGYU, Official of the port administration of the Horgos economic development zone
"Focusing on the goal of 'ensuring smooth access,' we have vigorously promoted reform and innovation measures, optimized the customs clearance process and improved customs clearance efficiency. At the same time, we continued to promote the construction of 'smart ports' to ensure that customs emergency support and service work is not interrupted."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Urumqi, China.
(XHTV)