The Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in north China plans to invest five billion yuan (about 600 million US dollars) in highway construction this year, 33 percent more than in 1999.

The massive investment complies with the national strategy of accelerating the development of western China, according to a regional economic meeting held here recently. Inner Mongolia is a vast landlocked region spanning from northeast China to the northwest.

The autonomous region plans to draw more foreign investment for a number of road expansion projects, and build new highways linking the regional capital of Hohhot to the major cities of Baotou and Jining.