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Western Development Long and Arduous Task: Zhu Rongji
Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji Monday called for developing China's western region in a down-to-earth manner, saying that western development is a long and arduous task.
He also warned against tendencies like rushing headlong into mass action and formalism in the development of China's vast western areas.
Zhu made the remarks while meeting with a dozen foreign guests including former Australian Prime Minister Robert Hawke, Vice President of the International Finance Corporation Assaad J. Jabre and Toyoda Shoichiro, honorary chairman of the board of the Toyota Motor Co., Ltd., who were attending the Western Forum of China which concluded on Sunday in southwestern Sichuan Province.
A number of Chinese officials, including Zeng Peiyan, minister of the State Development Planning Commission and director of the Office of the Leading Group for Western Region Development of the State Council, Zhou Yongkang, secretary of the Sichuan Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China and Sichuan Governor Zhang Zhongwei, were present at the meeting.
Zhu stressed that China must learn from the experiences of foreign countries and the lessons in the economic construction history of New China, and develop the western region in a down-to-earth manner.
The priority in the development of the western region, he said, is construction of infrastructure, the protection and construction of the eco-environment and the training of personnel.
"We must strive to make a breakthrough within five to 10 years in the construction of infrastructure and environment," he said.
The premier thanked the foreign guests for their useful proposals and suggestions for the development of the west, and said this forum should be held each year.
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