Alibaba promotes e-commerce in Xinjiang cities

The logo of Alibaba Group is seen inside the company's headquarters in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province early November 11, 2014. [Photo/Agencies]

URUMQI - Chinese Internet giant Alibaba has joined with the government of Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region to support local e-commerce.

E-commerce drop-in centers will be opened in the cities of Yining, Kashgar and Hotan to help returning migrant workers to start businesses.

The centers will help villagers buy and sell online, and deal with logistic and financing in the next three years, according to the regional development and reform commission.

The National Development and Reform Commission and Alibaba signed a cooperation agreement in February to develop e-commerce in pilot rural areas. Xinjiang government has since streamlined approvals and offered training and loans to support villagers becoming self-employed.