The abundant energy resources and cultural diversity of China's westernmost region of Xinjiang are attracting important investments in infrastructure construction and interconnectivity, said Zhang Chunlin, head of the Development and Reform Commission of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

 

This major corridor straddling central Asia and Chinese inland regions, once the most multicultural salad bowl in the world when the ancient Silk Road once linked China with central Asia and Europe, is now regaining its significance in the age of the new Silk Road proposed by China in 2013 as a trade, infrastructure and culture network, Zhang said.

 

He noted that Xinjiang not only is a national transportation hub with 4,316 km of superhighways, 6,152 km of railways, 18 airports in operation and 10 more under construction, but is also an important producer of oil, gas, coal and wind power, as well as home to six UNESCO world cultural heritage sites and more than 80 museums.

 

Alcide Luini, secretary-general of the Milan-based Italy-China Chamber of Commerce, told Xinhua on the sideline of the roundtable that he has visited China dozens of times, and has experienced the magnificence of Xinjiang.

 

Luini urged Italian companies to seize the many opportunities offered by Xinjiang's rapid development.

 

Also taking part in the roundtable was a 23-year-old Italian student at the University of Milan, Alberto Gatti, who is writing his degree thesis about the Belt and Road initiative. Gatti hopes the new Silk Road will be closely linked to his professional future.

 

In his view, it is important that young generations in Italy are aware of the value of the new Silk Road which may offer them jobs and travel opportunities in the future.

 

"Italy still lacks a sufficient knowledge of China, yet when I talk with my peers I can perceive strong interest and curiosity. That is why it is so important to continue to spread and exchange information," Gatti told Xinhua.

 

The roundtable was part of the "Experience western China" event which kicked off in the Italian northern city on Sunday to help people know more about China, especially the northwestern part of the country, and will move to Frankfurt and Stuttgart, Germany, in the next days.