Top Think Tank Gives Advice to Poor AreasChina's top think tank, the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), on Thursday explored the way for a rapid and efficient development in western areas.A group of economists with the CASS provided suggestions to Bijie Prefecture, in southwest Guizhou Province. As the only prefecture in the country which has regular links with the think tank, Bijie has asked the national research body for well-advised suggestions for six years. Wei Houkai, a research professor with the CASS Westward Development Research Center, said that Bijie and other poverty-ridden areas must enhance ecological agriculture and other sun-rising industries. Considering the rich reserve of herbs in Bijie, Wei suggested the area develop pharmaceutical manufacturing in the traditional Chinese medicines. He urged instant cooperation between the area abundant with natural resources and high-tech companies and research bodies in big cities. Yuan Gangming, a research professor with the CASS Under-developed Areas Research Center, said that the westward development should be keep in tandem with ecological protection in local areas. Qian Jin, an associate professor with the CASS Institute of Economics and chief economic consultant for Bijie, suggested that the highest academy should scheme an overall economic and social development plan for the prefecture. Bai Gengsheng, also a CASS research professor, underscored the importance of preservation of ethnic features in Guizhou, which is heavily populated with ethnic minorities. Because of natural and historical reasons, Bijie greatly lags behind other areas in China. Guizhou provincial government initiated a pilot zone in 1988 in Bijie for exploring ways of economic enhancement in poverty-hit areas. |
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