Army Urged to Help Develop West ChinaChina's Defense Minister Chi Haotian has urged the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) and the Chinese People's Armed Police (PAP) to help boost the development of China's vast, underdeveloped western region.In a inspection tour from April 9 to 19, Chi visited PLA and PAP troops in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and Shaanxi Province, focusing on how the armed forces can best play their role in local economic development. During his tour there, Chi, who is a member of both of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Central Military Commission, met with officials from the local governments and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps. The strategy to develop west China is of great and far-reaching importance for reinvigorating the Chinese Nation, consolidating national defense, and realizing the country's long-term security and stability, Chi said. The armed forces should join in the development of west China according to the general plans of the government, he noted. |
| People's Daily Online --- http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/ |