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Zhu: Developing the West, A Long-Term Job
Zhu: Developing the West, A Long-Term Job
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Premier Zhu Rongji has emphasized that the development of the economically backward west China is a long-term, historic task calling for a strong sense of urgency and the preparedness for long-term strife.
Zhu, who is also a member of the Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Politburo, made the remark during his recent tour to the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region from September 4-10.
During his stay, the premier visited local oilfields, railway departments and farms of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (XPCC).
The premier praised the local people for their enthusiasm for speeding up local development and urged people to work according to the market law and avoid overlapping efforts, similar to what have been experienced by other parts of the country over the past decades.
Quoting a recent speech by President Jiang Zemin who said that the west could make breakthroughs in local development in 5-10 years, Zhu said the goal must be reached in a step-by-step and planned way.
He emphasized the need to accelerate the building of infrastructure including water conservancy, communications, telecommunications and power facilities.
In his talks, the premier highlighted the strategic status of Xinjiang, saying that the CPC Central Committee and the State Council have paid great attention to the development of the autonomous region.
He urged local authorities to make a general plan for local development according to the layout of the central leadership, so as to turn its advantages in natural resources into economic advantages with focus on the role of the market.
He expressed his hope that Xinjiang could achieve breakthroughs in infrastructure construction and environmental protection in the coming 5-10 years. Xinjiang should concentrate its forces to develop and utilize its abundant water resources and build a project to transport natural gas from the region to the eastern part of the country, he noted.
While visiting the XPCC farms, Zhu praised the farm workers for their role in developing and safeguarding the border areas.
During his trip, the premier repeatedly stressed the importance of strengthening national unity and social stability in Xinjiang, an area inhabited by people from different ethnic groups.
He called for an iron fist in cracking down separatists, religious fundamentalists and terrorists to build the western border region into a rock-hard stronghold.
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