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Chinese Armed Forces Urged to Develop West Areas
A senior Chinese military officer on Friday called on the armed forces to take part in the development of the western areas.
"The armed forces should actively participate in building infrastructure facilities and improving the ecological environment in the west," Chi Haotian, vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission and the defense minister, said at a meeting in Beijing on the army's participation and support for development of China's western areas.
Chi, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said the armed forces should provide technological support and talented personnel for major projects as well as protect the frontiers, and maintain social stability and national unity.
He said the armed forces should take part in the construction of transportation, water conservancy, energy and telecommunication projects, and help combat desertification by planting trees and grass in the land-locked western areas which are economically underdeveloped.
Assistance should also be given to help people, especially those of ethnic minority groups, develop education and cure disease, he said.
In addition, the armed forces can share part of the military airports, railways, warehouses, oil pipelines and other facilities with local governments for economic development.
Senior military officials Zhou Ziyu, Qian Shugen, Zhou Youliang, Hu Shixiang attended the meeting.
Meanwhile, the Central Military Commission has issued a circular calling on the armed forces and armed police to develop the west -- a plan which has a great significance for promoting China's modernization drive, maintaining state security and social stability as well as reinvigorating the Chinese nation.
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