No Casinos in Western China

No casinos will be allowed to be set up in western China despite the country's hope for more foreign investment into the underdeveloped regions.

"The central government will absolutely not allow the establishment of such amusement facilities as casinos, although it is wooing more foreign investment into the western provinces," said an official from the Office for Western Development under the State Council.

The idea to open casinos in the western regions goes against the aspirations of most Chinese people. "We can't depend on such ideas to develop the west," the official said.

There have been wide reports that local officials in the west are pushing for greater authority and autonomy by encouraging a flow of direct overseas investment into the area.

Proposals to build China's Las Vegas has also been put forward as a major effort to promote the flow of foreign funds into the region, sources claim.





People's Daily Online --- http://www.peopledaily.com.cn/english/