Xinjiang channels investment toward high-tech, green energy, AI sectors

Xinjiang is channeling investment toward high-tech manufacturing, green energy, and AI, with regional officials reporting rapid growth in computing power and artificial intelligence sectors, resilient manufacturing investment, and an improving overall investment structure, while acknowledging that the region is navigating a transition toward new economic drivers.

During a news conference in Urumqi on Friday, Tohti Rahman, director of the regional development and reform commission, highlighted that the region is channeling investment toward long-term development by focusing on enhancing the resilience of industrial chains, urban regeneration, and infrastructure networks, including water supply, power grids, computing power, communications, underground pipes in urban areas, and logistics.

The official emphasized that Xinjiang's investment potential and room for growth remain broad.

By leveraging national equipment renewal policies in key sectors, Xinjiang aims to support industrial process upgrades, digital empowerment, and the green transformation of traditional industries. The region plans to increase investment in emerging and future industries. It will consolidate and expand its advantages in advanced equipment manufacturing, particularly in power transmission, transformation, and new energy. At the same time, it intends to extend and strengthen industrial chains for new materials, including silicon‑based materials, titanium‑based materials, and basalt fiber.

Additionally, artificial intelligence applications in fields such as energy and cultural tourism will be promoted to empower technological innovation and application development.

Tohti noted that investment would be directed toward key areas of green transformation. This includes refining power pricing mechanisms, implementing projects directly linking green power generation with end users, and building zero-carbon industrial parks that aim to reduce carbon dioxide emissions to "near zero" through advanced planning, design, technology, and management, eventually achieving net-zero emissions. The region is also supporting the construction and operation of several green computing centers.

Furthermore, Xinjiang is working to raise the share of investment in projects to improve people's livelihoods and address gaps in education, healthcare, elderly care, and childcare infrastructure, the official added.