CPPCC Session Focuses on Western Development

CPPCC Session Focuses on Western Development

In a move to increase infrastructure investments in the western region, the Chinese Government will use preferential policies to encourage financial input to the area.

Vice-premier Li Lanqing made the remarks at the Tenth Session of the Standing Committee of the Ninth Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee, which opened Wednesday.

How to accelerate economic and social development has been the theme at the session.

Because the western region has many disadvantages in its natural and social environment, preferential policies are needed to lure foreign and domestic investment to the area, Li said.

China's western region includes 11 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities under the direct administration of the central government: Shaanxi, Qinghai, Sichuan, Yunnan, Guizhou, Ningxia, Xinjiang, Tibet and Chongqing. The region covers 5.4 million square kilometres, 57 per cent of the country's land area, and has a population of 285 million people, 23 per cent of the national total. More than half of the country's verified natural resources are in the region.

Despite its size, the region is not fertile, and water resources are scarce, making it a difficult region to farm. Severe erosion is also threatening the environment. Eroded areas in the western region make up 80 per cent of the country's total.

Sub-committees of CPPCC, such as the Committee of Handling Proposals and the Committee of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan affairs and overseas Chinese affairs, provided the session with reports on the content of proposals for western China development and suggestions and opinions from overseas experts.

In-depth discussions on the topic will continue to Saturday. Detailed investigation reports of the current development in western China will also be covered during the three-day meeting.

Addressing the government's role in the development of the west, Li stressed that all the strategies and projects must become market-oriented and follow market mechanisms.