Western Development Is Long-term Task, Li PengChina's top legislator Li Peng Sunday urged leading officials at all levels to harness the Yellow River and accelerate the development of western China in an orderly way during a recent inspection tour to northwest China's Shaanxi Province.This is because the government strategy of developing China's western regions and harnessing the Yellow River is a long-term task of strategic importance. It requires arduous efforts of several generations, said Li Peng, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress. During his stay in Shaanxi from May 2 to 7, Li met with 21 model workers, visited Xi'an New and High-tech Development Zone and inspected some factories and tourist sites. Development of western China is a decision of great significance. It provides a golden opportunity for the development of provinces and autonomous regions in the region, Li said. He called on local governments adopt measures to local conditions and work in a down-to-earth manner. The tendency of rushing headlong into mass actions should be avoided. In the development of western China, stress will be laid on construction of highways, railways, water conservancy and power projects, he said. Shaanxi Province, which is endowed with rich coal and gas resources, should accelerate the construction of energy bases and electricity transmission. Protection of the environment is an important aspect of developing the west, and the pressing task is to harness the Yellow River, Li pointed out. Seeing the bare mountain slopes during the tour, Li said effective efforts should be taken to galvanize farmers in growing trees and grass. Li also urged Shaanxi to tap its potential in energy, science and technology, military industry and tourism development, seek more foreign investment, speed up infrastructure projects and build more scenic sites. Shaanxi should redouble its efforts to promote management and new working methods to ensure the smooth development of China's western regions, Li said. |
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