Shenzhen in the west

The economically underdeveloped regions of southern Xinjiang - including the Kashgar and Hotan prefecture and the Kirgiz Autonomous Prefecture of Kizilsu - will be priority destinations for assistance.

Locals say the talk of building Kashgar City into a Shenzhen in China's west first surfaced in the 1980s, but people who had been to Shenzhen laughed it off.

Designated a "special economic zone" in 1980, Shenzhen has grown into one of China's industrial, financial and technological hubs over the past three decades. Kashgar, however, remains largely a dusty old town sleeping on China's western desert.

But it was waken lately by the central government's decision to set up an "economic development zone" there.

Though no clear plans have been drawn up, local officials are encouraged.

"It means we can use special and flexible policies to build Kashgar into a growth engine of Xinjiang and an important port in west China," said Repkati Nurehman, a senior official of Kashgar Prefecture Administrative Office.

The proposed "economic development zone" would cover 8.5 square km, but the exact location has yet to be decided.

Authorities plan to expand the urban area of Kashgar City to 100 square km with a population of over a million. Kashgar will be a base for textile production, the crude oil industry, agricultural products processing, logistics, and tourism, according to the plan.

On June 28, China Southern Airlines launched the country's longest flight route -- 4,852 km -- linking south China's metropolis of Guangzhou near Shenzhen to Kashgar.

"The news is the talk of the town and even kids know Kashgar will have an 'economic development zone'," said 48-year-old cab driver Usman.

"Does it mean Kashgar will be like Shenzhen?" said 26-year-old vender Amutkhasim. "Well then, my watermelons will sell better, and at a higher price."