Optical fibre network for Xinjiang region

China's biggest regional optical fibre telecommunications network has been built in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in the northwestern part of the country.

The network includes a 3,360-kilometre optical fibre project in the region's northern and southern sections, reaching 13 prefectural cities and 37 counties or cities, according to Xinhua.

The large-scale project cost about 450 million yuan (about HK$417.91 million), part of which was paid for with US$27.9 million from a loan provided by the Australian government.

Experts said the network would complete the world's longest land optical fibre project, stretching across Europe and Asia and greatly improving telecommunications in China's northwestern region.