Urumqi, in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, is quickly building itself into a center of transportation, logistics, finance, culture and health care at the core of the Silk Road Economic Belt.

Medina runs a silk business in Urumqi, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. She is seen laughing here at her shop in the Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar on April 24. [Photo by Zhao Ge/Xinhua]