Abstract: The world is currently undergoing unprecedented changes and has trends of accelerated evolution. Recognizing the situation, China has put forward the new development pattern of “dual circulation”. In this context, Xinjiang, serving as the central hub of the Belt and Road, is facing unprecedented opportunities and challenges in its process of westward opening up. Xinjiang should seize opportunities, address challenges, actively integrate into and serve the new development pattern, and accelerate its development. This paper employs the SWOT analysis method to analyze the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of Xinjiang’s westward opening-up. At the same time, we construct a SWOT analysis matrix, which proposes four strategic combinations for the development of Xinjiang’s westward opening-up, including strengths-opportunities, weaknesses-opportunities, strengths-threats, and weaknesses-threats strategies. Corresponding countermeasure suggestions are proposed for each strategic combination, aiming for Xinjiang to establish a modern industrial system, achieve high-quality development, and become a truly core area and hub zone in China’s new development pattern, as well as an important bridgehead.

Keywords: new development pattern; the westward opening-up; opportunities and challenges; SWOT analytical method; countermeasure

Reprinted from Guangxi Economic Journal, 2024,42(02):49-59.