BEIJING, Aug. 12 (INP): As many as 17 cross-border optical cables have been put into service in the Xinjiang Autonomous Region, connecting China with Pakistan and some other neighboring countries. According to Gwadar Pro, this was stated by Shohrat Zakir, chairman of the Xinjiang regional government at a news briefing while highlighting the region's recent achievements in promoting peace, tranquility, and prosperity. Shohrat Zakir, accompanied by other seniors officials Alken Tuniaz and Zhang Chunlin, said that religious freedom and tranquility are upheld while making considerable progress in eliminating terrorism in its all forms and manifestation. In the economic sector, he said the Xinjiang region continued to pursue mutual benefits and promote trade. Since 2014, they have established 2,451 railway services to link western neighboring countries with an average annual growth of 100%. In recent years, a total of 1,002 railway services were launched in Xinjiang to connect 26 cities of 19 countries in Central Asia and Europe. Xinjiang's economic development has realized a historic leap with GDP increased from 791 million yuan in 1952 to 1.2 trillion yuan in 2018. Adjusted for inflation, this represents a 200-fold increase, with an average annual gain of 8.3%. Xinjiang’s per-capita GDP rose to 49,000 yuan in 2018, from 166 yuan in 1952, and that’s approximately a 37.7-fold increase in real terms, averaging 5.7% annual growth. Xinjing boosted financial cooperation and innovation. In 2016, Pakistan's Habib Bank set up a branch in Urumqi, he added. INP/javed