The 2025 Xinjiang Tacheng Baktu Forum commenced on Tuesday, uniting government officials, business leaders, and experts from China, Kazakhstan, Russia, and other nations involved in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Held under the theme of fostering development through openness and creating a shared future, the forum emphasized strengthening cross-border cooperation in trade, industry, and technology, alongside promoting cultural exchanges. Tacheng, strategically located on China’s border with Kazakhstan, serves as a vital gateway for China’s westward expansion. Its historic Baktu Port, once a key node on the ancient Silk Road, now handles 3 million metric tons of cargo annually and facilitates 500,000 border crossings. The forum spotlighted multilateral infrastructure and logistics projects, including the Baktu-Ayaguz Railway, which is expected to increase transport capacity by 25 million tons by 2027. Germany’s North Rhine-Westphalia introduced a ‘twin hub’ logistics model to enhance freight connectivity with Xinjiang and explore green energy and hydrogen technology partnerships. The event culminated in the signing of 30 cooperation agreements worth 13.1 billion yuan ($1.8 billion), spanning cross-border tourism, new materials, and automotive assembly. Four thematic seminars addressed opportunities in e-commerce, logistics, cultural tourism, and institutional innovation. Tacheng aims to further develop its cross-border economic cooperation zone and solidify its role as a bridge for regional connectivity and economic integration. As the Baktu Forum becomes an annual fixture, it will continue to serve as a pivotal platform for deepening collaboration among BRI partner countries.