The Chinese government will give preferential consideration to the country's western areas in implementing schemes of international assistance, according to Long Yongtu, chief negotiator of the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation.

In carrying out the development strategy in the west, China will first mobilize its own forces, but assistance from international organizations and foreign governments will also play an important role, Long said at a meeting to outline the work held Thursday.

China will not work for economic progress in the west at the expense of the environment, but will try to balance economic development with a sound ecological system there, Long said. This complies with the policies of international organizations and foreign governments that provide assistance to China, he added, noting that most of China's cooperative partners are well- experienced and technologically advanced in the realm of sustainable development.

In the 20 years since China's opening up, international assistance has contributed greatly to the country's economic and social growth. According to estimates, bilateral and multi-lateral unconditional assistance have accumulated to four billion U.S. dollars in the past two decades.

The present day achievements of the coastal areas, which benefited most from international assistance in the 1980s, are a direct result of the foreign aid, Long pointed out.

He said international assistance is helpful not just in terms of investment and construction projects, but more for its role in educating people about advanced technology and management. During the one-day meeting, officials and scholars gave brief explanations of the history and agenda of the strategy to develop western China to representatives from foreign countries and international organizations.