The training program is scheduled to offer advanced courses for 1,000 local officials, all under age 45, from western provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions, said Wang Rupeng, director of CYDF's Promotion Department.

Together with the China Association for International Exchange of Personnel, the CYDF initiated the training courses, called Project Expectation, and aims to bring in overseas professionals, technologies and funds into the economically-backward areas in China.

"We are training those local officials to be management professionals with high vision, creativity, comprehensive ability as well as deep understanding of conditions in localities," Wang said.

The first group of 40 trainees are from Chongqing Municipality, and Shaanxi, Sichuan, Gansu and Yunnan provinces.

(Xinhua)