Northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has achieved a groundbreaking milestone in digital inclusion, with e-commerce services now reaching approximately 99% of rural communities. This accomplishment stems from a comprehensive infrastructure network featuring fully operational county-level commercial service centers, logistics distribution hubs, and township-level logistics stations.
According to official data from the regional commerce department, coverage rates have reached unprecedented levels with 96.56% of townships equipped with commercial centers and 98.92% of villages benefiting from convenience stores. This extensive network has effectively bridged the urban-rural divide, facilitating seamless movement of industrial goods to countryside areas while enabling efficient distribution of agricultural products to urban markets.
The transformation follows China’s 2023 three-year national action plan for county-level commerce development, initiated by the Ministry of Commerce and eight supporting government agencies. From 2021 to 2025, Xinjiang secured 548 million yuan (approximately $78 million) in central government funding, supporting nearly 400 development projects. This investment resulted in the construction or modernization of 255 county-level comprehensive commercial service centers, representing a 45.7% increase compared to 2021 infrastructure levels.
Li Xuan, Deputy Director of Xinjiang’s Regional Department of Commerce, emphasized the region’s commitment to further activating county-level markets and unlocking rural consumption potential. “Through continued policy guidance and financial support, we will enhance the county commercial system to boost integrated urban-rural development and comprehensive rural revitalization,” Li stated, highlighting the strategic importance of e-commerce infrastructure in regional economic planning.