Nations agreed to build New Silk Road

In 2012, China invested 1.65 billion yuan ($269 million) to develop the communications sector in Xinjiang.

Kurexi said the region and its enterprises will focus on developing technologies for broadband, third-generation service, code division multiple access and cloud computing platforms over the next five years.

Yang Jie, general manager of China Telecom, said integrated telecommunications and Internet service networks will make regional communication and data exchange more convenient and faster. The rates will also be lower than the current charges in Central Asia.

According to a report by the Beijing-based Chinese Academy of Science and Technology for Development, released in June, communications capacity among China, Europe, Central Asia and Russia will expand fast over the next three years, rising to a level about 20 percent higher than in 2012.

However, this is a long-term project. Countries in Central Asia are still incapable of developing their communications industries alone.

Yang said China Telecom will help countries such as Kazakhstan and Tajikistan to expand their cross-border land cable capacities. An upgraded information service network means bright prospects for closer multinational economic cooperation.

"In comparison with international submarine cables, building cross-border land cables is more economical and reliable for China and its partner nations," Yang said.