Chinese Vice Premier Zeng Peiyan has called for "unswerving" efforts
to boost the development of the country's west to narrow the gap
between eastern and western regions.
Zeng made the remarks at a recent working conference on the
development of the western region in Chengdu, capital of southwest
China's Sichuan Province.
He said economic and social development in the western region is
crucial to the coordinated development between different regions of
the country.
People in the western region have benefited a lot from the
development projects since the country launched the western
development strategy seven years ago, said Zeng.
The country has invested a total of 555 billion yuan (US$72
billion) for 105 projects in the western region over the years to
help the underdeveloped west catch up with the more prosperous
east.
However, the western region is still below the national average
level in terms of economic and social development and public
services available to people, and the western development remains a
heavy task for the country, Zeng noted.
He also stressed development in the west should not be pursued
at the cost of environment, saying the western region should seek a
sustainable development.
The country's western development strategy involves 12
provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities, covering 6.85
million square kilometers and with a combined population of about
367 million.
(Xinhua News Agency May 28, 2007)
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