In 60 BC, the Western Han Dynasty Protectorate was built on this land in the Western Regions. In 1884, the Qing government established Xinjiang Province. On the map of 1955, the "Xinjiang Autonomous Region" is clearly marked. The mottled time is lengthening, and there are few places like Xinjiang that are repeatedly held in the palm of their hands by different regimes without letting go. It's so special here, isn't it? It is located in the northwest border, the hinterland of Eurasia, and the intersection of east and west, and was also a collision site between north and south. In this place, people in every era are keen on discussing its destiny. They think that who has grasped Xinjiang seems to be able to absorb even the air for a longer time?

The footsteps of history have not been far away. Whenever the dynasty is newly built and the territory is divided and merged, there are always big dramas in the Western Regions. The Huns were old neighbors that everyone knew. Maodun Shanyu sharpened his sword every year, and the Han Dynasty's monarchs and ministers were worried countless times. At that time, if it weren't for the alliance with Wusun and the arms of the Huns were cut off, the Western Regions would have been put on fire. The Huns retreated, and there was finally no royal court in the south of the desert, and a corner of the stability was settled. But can you breathe a sigh of relief after writing this? That's not sure.

It was also quite lingering during the Tang Dynasty. Tubo entered the west, and the two major forces fought head-on, and the Western Regions were at a loss. Guanzhong suffered a disaster, and Chang'an was almost overturned by horse hooves. The frontier with its sharp edges can never calm down, and the empire's sense of security floats in the wind in Xinjiang every day. A little later in the Qing Dynasty, Agubai took over the power, and a large area of ​​northern and southern borders was lost. Zuo Zongtang dared to "carry the coffin and fight the West", knowing that people will be afraid of death, but destiny waited for others. He regained lost territory, not only saving his territory, but also leaving a mystery to future generations - is it worth it to pay so much? Sometimes the answer is complicated.

After all, Xinjiang is actually like a huge test question. The area is large enough, with 1.66 million square kilometers, accounting for one-sixth of China, and even the Yellow River has to flow twice. Around the surroundings, there are so many neighboring countries that are: Russia, Mongolia, Afghanistan... Almost one-third of the land borders in Xinjiang. The defense line is so long, it’s okay not to pay attention to it!

As for the nation, it is also an unavoidable topic. Dozens of ethnic groups coexist, and the population outside the Han nationality is more than half, and the census data will not deceive people. There are also those cross-border names, such as Kazakhs and Uzbeks. Xinjiang is a minority, but outside it is the main body. The Uyghurs are the "protagonists" here, but their footprints can reach Central Asia in one step. The people here believe in many religions, and all Islamic Buddhism and Catholicism are available. Statistics say that the number of believers in Islam alone has exceeded tens of millions. Religious and ethnic issues are on the table together, so I always feel that I won’t give up, right?

Xinjiang has many complexities. This is also one of the hardest hit areas of terrorist activities around the world. Look at Afghanistan, Kashmir, and Feubagan. The terrifying hot zones that are tense around the world are posted on the edge of Xinjiang. After the 1990s, violent incidents broke out here from time to time, like a roller coaster, and everyone was sweating.

These are not China's unique "frontier troubles". International news flashes from time to time. In contrast, Xinjiang's stability is actually the ballast of national security. As long as there is no chaos here, the northwest will be safe. The stability of the country can also be added with an additional layer of insurance.

**From a certain perspective, Xinjiang is China's strategic barrier. This is true! **

Let’s talk about open topics. Xinjiang is both a "backyard" and a "front door". It connects the Eurasian continent, and the road to extend west starts here - Central Asia, West Asia, Europe, is a bridgehead and a granary. The Silk Road in ancient times was not possible without Xinjiang. Prehistoric archaeologists discovered a two-wheeled carriage with a thousand-year-old iron sheet buried in the tomb. There are similar remains in Anyang Yin Ruins and Russia's Bazerek. East-West culture exchanges passwords here, objects shuttle and messages flow.

Many experts have mentioned that the commercial route that crossed the Mongolian grasslands and Siberia in the 5th century BC is the link between Eastern and Western civilizations? No standard answer. But the influence of each other is real. The carriages are driving to Iran and Russia, and the merchants use all kinds of ways to do business in Xinjiang. After Zhang Qian opened the Western Regions, exchanges between China and the West became closer. Punjab, the Indian state of Alexander the Great, became a trading distribution center, with silk fur and gems gathered in Samarkand.

During the Yongle period of the Ming Dynasty, without the Internet, rare treasures flowed to Samarkand, Central Asia. Xinjiang is not the protagonist, but is present every day. Isn't it? Therefore, the trade route passed through the border, and the ancient Silk Road had practical significance. To this day, Xinjiang on the map is still a "door opening channel". In Central Asia, South Asia and West Asia, all kinds of people, logistics and information flows meet here. The construction of the "Belt and Road" is in full swing, especially the "China-Pakistan Economic Corridor". Xinjiang was pushed into the spotlight, and it is surprising to say that no one pays attention! Further down the road, it may be more lively.

The industry is also close, one of the most important commodity export and trade bases in China. Do you feel overly optimistic? Maybe, but sometimes, trends have their own logic. It is difficult to say exactly the future of Xinjiang and will not be silent.

On the other hand, how to avoid resource issues? It's really too rich here. At the junction of the six major plates in the eastern hemisphere, the orogenic movement left countless minerals. The data is very direct. As many as 138 mineral resources have been discovered, and 82% of the country's proven properties are distributed here. There are 24 minerals in the top five in the country and 43 in the top ten. Experts say that Xinjiang's potential is almost impossible to see. For example, oil reserves hover between 20 tonnes and 30 billion tons, coal is 2 trillion tons, and limestone is also at the level of 100 billion tons. Any calculation is all eye-catching.

In addition to oil and gas, tourism, animal husbandry and forestry are not small. Xinjiang is not only self-sufficient, but also can borrow the east winds of Central Asia, West Asia and Russia. These areas are also rich in resources, including oil, gas, coal, electricity, solar and wind energy. Central Asia ranks third in the world in natural gas reserves, second only to Russia and the Middle East. China's economy is developing rapidly, with increased demand for energy, and imports of oil are increasing every year. However, the existing shipping routes are too long and easy to break. Every level along the way can be stuck in life.

Can a strong navy solve the problem? Actually not necessarily. After all, the cost and risk are not small. Land energy lines have become a strategic choice. Central Asia's resources have become the "buffer" for China's energy security, and a diverse situation is imperative.

China's plan is that in the future, Xinjiang will jointly develop oil and gas with neighboring countries, build the base more perfectly, integrate production, assembly and service, and who would be surprised to become a hub?

**The complementarity of resources is crucial to China! **

But if you think about it carefully, Xinjiang in the public's impression is often desolate and far away, so far that it seems that there is only sand and dust and camel bells. The current data tells us that the international geographical location is excellent, the energy reserves are huge, and the security significance is particularly outstanding. Rather than saying the edge of Xinjiang, it has become a center. Those who say that as long as Xinjiang is present, China's development is unstoppable, and perhaps it is a bit idealistic, but it may not be unreasonable.

In new media, hot discussions are common in the comment area, the extreme point is that "Xinjiang takes off is China's take off"; calm down "Xinjiang may become a core economic zone in 30 years"; some question resource data, some question ethnic policies, and some even doubt whether geopolitical factors will be overestimated. In fact, the data itself will not lie, but in practice, policies, population, and international environment are changing at any time.

After all, markets and policies often constrain each other. Ethnic relations cannot be well-matched overnight, and resource development cannot be without drawbacks. Sometimes the controversy is very fierce and no one accepts the other. Especially the complexity of Xinjiang - the more you analyze it, the more you feel that the conclusions are difficult to unify.

Therefore, Xinjiang is not a myth, and it cannot be established by just one label. It is a "puzzle" in reality, and every piece is inaccurate. Some say that stability overwhelms everything, and some say that development is more important; some insist on opening up brings vitality, and some worry that resource plunder brings risks. There are two positions hedging. If you have to balance it, I am afraid no one can make the decision.

From history to reality, the complexity has not decreased, but the method has changed. The significance of Xinjiang is constantly changing, but it has always occupied a place in China's national structure. This is the result of countless data, events and policies intertwined, not a single logic.

There is no conclusion on where Xinjiang will go. I only know that the story will continue on this vast land.

This is Xinjiang, it is not perfect, but it cannot be ignored in China's future territory.