China welcomes foreign investment in its western region
development campaign, a top official said yesterday.
But there's a catch.
"We will not approve any project harmful to the environment,"
Wang Xinxiang, deputy director of the National Development and
Reform Commission, said yesterday.
The commission has released the 11th Five-Year Plan (2006-10) on
western region development. The plan gives priority to projects in
infrastructure construction, environmental protection and education
in the western regions.
Meanwhile, three key economic zones and six key industries have
been given the government's full support.
The three key economic zones are the Chongqing-Chengdu zone, the
Central Shaanxi-Tianshui zone, and the Beibu Bay zone in the
Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.
The six key industries are: energy and chemical, mine
exploration, agriculture, equipment manufacturing, high-tech, and
tourism and culture industries.
"The western region now accounts for only 3 percent of the total
foreign direct investment in China," Wang said.
"In fact, the western region enjoys more favorable policies and
has more fields opened up to foreign investors than the rest of
China. Foreign investors should grasp the opportunities."
According to Cao Yushu, deputy director of the Office of the
Leading Group for Western Region Development of the State Council,
there have been notable achievements in infrastructure construction
and environmental protection.
The road network totals 700,000 kilometers, including 10,000
kilometers of expressways. And there are plans to build another
200,000 kilometers of roads and extend the railway network by
2010.
Ecological projects have helped protect the area's environment,
Cao said.
(China Daily?March 2, 2007)
