The city of Urumqi, capital of the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, got a visit from a group of staff workers from the World Citizens Organization (WCO) on March 17. They arrived to discuss preparation work for the 2014 Silk Road Mayor Forum with the local government.

The forum was initiated by the WCO to increase culture, economic and social cooperation and exchanges among countries along the ancient Silk Road.

It was during the seventh Silk Road Mayor Forum in the city of Gaziantep, Turkey, in November 2012 that Urumqi was picked as the next host city by the organizing committee.

Ilham Sha Bier, mayor of Urumqi, said that the opening of the forum is of vital significance to Urumqi and its surrounding cities, which can bring new business opportunities to the region.

Guo Yingxun, chairman of the WCO, commented that Urumqi is Xinjiang’s political, economic and cultural center, and an important link of the New Eurasian Land Bridge, an international rail line connecting East Asia and Europe. The upcoming event will help increase its global influence and promote local economic growth.