The historical role of entrepot towns in Xinjiang, their significance in facilitating trade and cultural exchange, laid the foundations for how the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is revitalizing these ancient networks and positioning Xinjiang once again as a strategic gateway between China and the Eurasian hinterland.

Entrepot towns 

The origins of trans-Eurasian trade stretch back to the Han Dynasty (206 B.C.-A.D. 220), when Chinese silk first found its way to the Mediterranean. Xinjiang's geographical position rendered it a pivotal transit point for merchants. Ancient caravans traveled along multiple routes that skirted the formidable Taklimakan Desert, with two main arteries known as the Northern and Southern Silk Roads converging in the region.

Key entrepot cities such as Kashi (Kashgar), Turpan and Hetian (Hotan) became bustling centers of commerce. Kashi, in particular, stood as one of the most vital trading posts along the Silk Road. Located at the intersection of major trade routes from China, India, Persia and the Mediterranean, Kashi's bazaars teemed with silk, spices, jade and precious stones. By the Tang Dynasty (618-907), Kashi's population had grown to an estimated 200,000, a significant size for an inland city during that period. The city's markets were filled with merchants from as far afield as Byzantium and the Arabian Peninsula, facilitating the exchange of not only goods but also languages, customs and religious beliefs.

Turpan, another crucial entrepot town, was renowned for its role as a cultural melting pot. With a population of approximately 30,000 during the ninth century, Turpan was home to a blend of Han Chinese, Sogdian and Uygur communities. These groups coexisted and contributed to a cosmopolitan culture reflected in the region's art, literature and religious tolerance. Turpan's religious landscape was equally diverse, with Buddhist monasteries standing alongside Zoroastrian fire temples and, later, Islamic mosques. The town's location on the northern Silk Road route enabled it to mediate between the Chinese Empire and the Persian-influenced regions of Central Asia.

Hetian, to the south of the Taklimakan Desert, was famed for its jade production and the cultivation of silk. The city's economy thrived on trade with the Chinese imperial court and the Indian subcontinent. Hetian's cultural dynamism was reflected in its adoption of Mahayana Buddhism, which arrived via Indian merchants and missionaries. By the eighth century, Hetian had a population of around 20,000 and served as a critical outpost for the dissemination of Buddhist art and scripture across Central Asia and into China.

Diplomatic role 

The political role of these entrepot towns extended beyond economic functions. As conduits for diplomatic missions, they helped stabilize relationships between, for example, the Tang Dynasty and the various Central Asian polities. Kashi, for instance, hosted embassies from both the Tubo Kingdom in Xizang and the Islamic Caliphates, acting as a neutral ground for negotiation. This mediation fostered relative peace along the trade routes, ensuring the continuous flow of goods and cultural exchange. Furthermore, the presence of diverse ethnic and religious communities within these towns facilitated cultural diplomacy, which helped reduce tensions and promote mutual understanding.

Entrepot towns also served as intelligence-gathering centers for imperial authorities. Envoys stationed in Kashi and Turpan would report on political developments in Central Asia, allowing the Tang court to maintain informed diplomatic connections with distant regions. This intelligence network not only safeguarded trade but also helped preempt potential conflicts. For instance, during the eighth century, the Chinese court used Kashi's diplomatic resources to mediate disputes between the Tubo Kingdom and local tribes, ensuring stability along the western frontiers.

Moreover, these towns played a crucial role in integrating new territories into the imperial fold. During the Tang Dynasty, officials utilized Kashi and Hetian as administrative centers, where they collected taxes, enforced imperial law and facilitated cultural exchange. These political functions allowed the Chinese dynasty to extend its influence deep into the heart of Central Asia without the need for direct military intervention.

During the Tang Dynasty, trade along these routes reached new heights, fostering a cosmopolitan environment in Xinjiang's entrepot towns. Turpan emerged as a vital oasis city, known for its advanced irrigation systems (the Karez) which supported both agriculture and trade. Meanwhile, Hetian gained fame for its jade, which was highly prized in Chinese imperial courts. These cities served not merely as waypoints but as cultural melting pots, where Buddhist, Zoroastrian and later Islamic influences intermingled.

By the 17th and 18th centuries, Xinjiang continued to be a focal point for Sino-Russian trade under the auspices of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). The Treaty of Nerchinsk (1689) and subsequent agreements formalized cross-border exchanges between the Qing Empire and the Russian Tsardom. Annual trade fairs in cities such as Gulja (modern-day Yining) and Qoqek (modern-day Tacheng) facilitated barter transactions of tea, silk and furs. These fairs underscored Xinjiang's enduring significance as a conduit for economic and diplomatic exchanges.

The 19th century saw further consolidation of Xinjiang's trade infrastructure under the Qing administration. Kashi remained central to China's engagement with Central Asia, serving as the primary node for the "tea-for-horse" trade with nomadic groups and neighboring powers. Despite the decline of overland trade routes with the advent of maritime exploration, Xinjiang's entrepot towns persisted as vital economic and cultural bridges.

A modern renaissance 

In the 21st century, the BRI is reinvigorating Xinjiang's historical role as a linchpin of Eurasian trade. Launched in 2013 by President Xi Jinping, the BRI aims to enhance connectivity across Asia, Europe, and Africa mainly through massive investments in infrastructure, logistics and trade corridors. Xinjiang stands at the heart of the Silk Road Economic Belt, the overland component of this initiative.

The development of modern transport hubs, such as the Huoerguosi (Khorgas or Horgos) dry port on the China-Kazakhstan border, exemplifies Xinjiang's renewed importance. Huoerguosi, which was once a modest border outpost, is now a thriving logistics center facilitating the seamless movement of goods between China and Central Asia. This transformation echoes the ancient role of Kashi and other entrepot towns as critical nodes of trade. The China-Europe freight train network, another pillar of the BRI, further cements Xinjiang's status as a gateway for overland trade. These trains transport electronics, textiles and other commodities from manufacturing hubs in eastern China to European markets, significantly reducing shipping times compared to maritime routes.

The BRI also emphasizes the development of industrial parks in Xinjiang, such as the Kashi Economic Development Zone. These zones attract investment in manufacturing, logistics and services, fostering economic growth while enhancing regional integration. Xinjiang's strategic position along the BRI corridors not only strengthens China's westward economic outreach but also deepens its engagement with Central Asia, Russia and beyond.

Beyond its economic significance, Xinjiang remains a cultural crossroads reflecting centuries of intercultural exchange. The region's diverse population, comprising Uygurs, Han Chinese, Kazaks and other ethnic groups, embodies the legacy of Silk Road interactions. This cultural diversity is mirrored in Xinjiang's architectural heritage, cuisine and religious practices, which continue to blend influences from China's Central Plains region as well as Central Asia and the Middle East.

Xinjiang's modern development under the BRI presents significant opportunities. Increased investment and infrastructure projects promise economic revitalization and regional connectivity, raising living standards and revitalizing land-locked parts of the world that had been neglected in the era in which expanded maritime trade dominated.

Xinjiang's historical and contemporary roles as a gateway between China and the Eurasian hinterland remain indisputable. The BRI, in many ways, reaffirms and amplifies the region's historical function as a conduit for trade and cultural exchange. As infrastructure projects advance and trade flows expand, Xinjiang is once again at the forefront of a globalized Eurasian landscape. These entrepot towns of old are once again becoming centers where ideas, people and commerce converge, fostering a new era of cross-civilizational dialogue. Through the BRI, Xinjiang is not only reclaiming its historic role as a gateway to Eurasia but also strengthening international cooperation and cultural interconnectedness in the 21st century. From the ancient caravans traversing the Taklimakan Desert to the high-speed freight trains linking China to Europe, Xinjiang's role as a bridge between East and West endures.

The author is an adjunct professor at the Queensland University of Technology, Australia, and a senior fellow at the Beijing-based Taihe Institute 

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