Persistent Efforts Needed in Developing the West

The large-scale development of the west is by no means an undertaking that can be accomplished at one stroke, it is likely that success can be achieved only after efforts of several generations are exerted. Therefore, it is necessary to mentally prepared for long-term battle.

Implementation of the strategy for the large-scale development of the western region is, without doubt, of important significance to expanding domestic demands, promoting the coordinated development of China's economy and attaining the strategic goal of cross-century development. This major decision of the Party Central Committee has received enthusiastic response from various parts of the country, the general run of cadres and masses of the western region, in particular, have all the more cherished this rare opportunity, they have actively gone into action, engaged in planning and feasibility studies, attracted businessmen and solicited investment and drawn up measures, making the best use of their time.

In doing one's work, one must first inspire one's enthusiasm. Only when one is full of vigor, can one go into conscientious action. In this regard, the enthusiasm of the vast number of cadres and masses in the western region is commendable. This is the prerequisite for achieving success in the large-scale development of the western region.

However, it should also be soberly noted that the large-scale development of the western region is by no means an undertaking that can be accomplished at one stroke, it is likely that success can be achieved only after efforts of several generations are exerted. Therefore, it is necessary to mentally prepared for long-term battles. The thinking that once the Party Central Committee has shifted the focus of development to the west, the face of the western region will immediately undergo a great change is unrealistic. Western development is subject to the restraint of environmental resources, talents and many other factors-this precisely is an important reason for the underdevelopment of the western region. A change of these restrictive factors cannot be brought about within a short space of time., it can only be gradually realized through long-term, arduous efforts. Take the improvement of the local ecological environment, which is an urgent task at the moment, for example, immediate effect can hardly be achieved. The present condition of the western region is the result of the comprehensive actions of both natural and historical factors, of which the natural factors cannot be neglected. The western region stretches over a vast area, some localities there are short of rain and water, putting them in a long-term dry state, oxygen is lacking in some other high and cold areas. Through returning farmland to forest and grassland, the ecological environment can quickly be restored to normal in some localities; trees and grasses planted in some places can hardly survive. If no breakthrough is made in scientific research work and the problem regarding water-diversion and other infrastructure construction is not solved, it will be difficult to break free of the queer circle that "trees and grasses die after being planted, new saplings are planted again after the death of old ones". Such being the case, we must have adequate mental preparation in order to deal with difficulties and unfavorable conditions.

The existing environmental capacity in the western region is also subject to restriction. Take water resources alone for example, since the founding of New China, along with increase in the use of water for industry and agriculture, the level of underground water of Hexi Corridor has dropped rapidly, from the late 1950s till to date, underground water in Jiayuguan City has fallen by more than 60 meters, and by nearly 100 meter in Zhangye City. The snowline of Qilian Mountains has also gradually fallen back, with an average annual recess of one meter, large tracts of the surrounding farmland have undergone desertification for lack of water. To achieve sustainable development of the economy in the western region, it is necessary to get rid of the "bottle-neck" restriction imposed by the environmental capacity. However, to "increase the capacity" of the environment cannot be accomplished overnight. For this reason, our subjective desire must be integrated with the objective reality. In the process of concrete implementation, we must be cool-headed and guard against the idea of being anxious for quick success, we must not unrealistically set the targets too high and too urgent, we must not cherish the illusions of fighting and winning battles of quick decisions.

Western development is a system project, while taking active action, we must have a sober understanding of the protracted and arduous nature of said development. Only by doing so, can the pace of our advance be more steady and can the effect of development be sure guaranteed. The practice of being anxious for quick success, doing things blindly on too large a scale and rushing headlong into mass action has brought us a great deal of sufferings. In the large-scale development of the western region, we must follow the economic law, act in accordance with the plans and requirements of the central authorities and implement the said strategy in a planned, systematic and down-to-earth manner.

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