Minister Stresses Resources EconomizationChina should not waste resources and pollute the environment in future development, especially in its western areas, but rather economize in resources and protect the eco-environment, said Minister of Land and Resources Tian Fengshan.As a developing country, China is in a stage of high resources consumption. About two thirds of the 33 key industries in China directly involve resources exploitation. The shortage of resources will be exacerbated in the future and become another bottleneck in addition to the deterioration of the eco-environment, warned Tian. Tian, former governor of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, was appointed to his new post at the beginning of last month. He just wrapped up a fact-finding tour to Shaanxi and Gansu provinces in northwest China. He said that his ministry is now drafting a plan to develop land resources in western China. "Developing China's west requires the efficient use of resources and the application of science and technology." The ministry will conduct an investigation of the mineral, land and underground water resources in China's western region, and will map out a comprehensive development plan for the utilization of the resources on the basis of the investigation. The search for underground water will also be stepped up in over 20 cities including Xi'an, Lanzhou and Urumqi which have been plagued by water shortage for years, Tian said. He said China will return some cultivated land to forests and grassland to improve the eco-environment in the vast western areas. |
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