Belt and Road Initiative and population displacements in Xinjiang province

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has transformed Xinjiang into a strategic hub, driving large-scale infrastructural projects and urban planning policies. This development has led to significant population displacements, particularly in Kashgar, where historic neighborhoods have been demolished and replaced by modern infrastructure. Chinese territorial planning under the BRI promotes urban expansion and industrial zones, often at the expense of local communities. Forced relocations and resettlement policies have altered the region's demographic balance, affecting Uyghur populations. Using satellite imagery, we can analyse urban transformations, detect land-use changes, and document the scale of displacement. Kashgar serves as a key case study to illustrate the socio-spatial consequences of China’s state-driven modernisation. These changes reveal the geopolitical and economic motivations behind the BRI, highlighting the tensions between development and cultural preservation.

The speaker is Marie Hiliquin, postdoctoral researcher at IRSEM Europe in Brussels (BE) researching Chinese investments in EU strategic sectors like EV…