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China urges efforts to boost economy in western regions

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-08-21 13:26

Workers lay rail track in Dazhou, Sichuan province. The government has invested heavily in West China on infrastructure projects in an attempt to close the economic gap between the West and China's wealthier provinces. [China Daily]

Despite massive exploitation of its natural resources and efforts made via the Go

China on Thursday called for more efforts to boost economic growth in its western regions.

Premier Wen Jiabao chaired a meeting of the leading group under the State Council for the development of China's western regions. Vice Premier Li Keqiang also attended the meeting.

The meeting discussed and passed a guideline on maintaining stable and fast economic growth in the western regions amid the global economic downturn.

The government will stick to its policy to develop the western regions as the policy proved effective in boosting economic and social progresses there in the 10 years since its launch.

More funds will be channeled into the areas for infrastructure construction including railways, roads, airports and water conservation projects.

Related readings:  Premier: Western development working  Strategy of western development proposed in 1999  Nation to establish long-term western development plan  China develops new programme for western development

The government will stress environmental protection in the areas and further promote the "grain for green project", a project to prevent sand storms and protect sources of the three key rivers that start in Qinghai province.

China will make more efforts to upgrade the industrial structure in the western regions and boost industries with advantages there.

The government will speed up the development of social causes to improve people's livelihoods. It will work to add more job opportunities, improve people's living conditions and upgrade education and medical services.

The meeting also stressed efforts to help rebuild the areas destroyed by the strong earthquake in May 2008.