Strategy for large-scale development of western China

Large-scale development of western China was a strategic decision by the CPC Central Committee and the State Council in implementing Deng Xiaoping’s instructions on an issue of overriding importance: the development of both coastal and inland areas. In September 1999 the Fourth Plenary Session of the 15th CPC Central Committee agreed a strategy for large-scale development of western China. In January 2000, the State Council set up a leading group for western development.

Overall development can be divided into three phases: laying the foundations from 2001 to 2010; accelerating development from 2011 to 2030; modernization on all fronts from 2031 to 2050.

Development will be supported by infrastructure projects, while environmental protection is a priority. The economic structure will be adjusted and special industries developed. Scientific and technological progress and personnel training will provide an intelligent buttress, and reform and opening up the driving force. The goal is to achieve common prosperity for the people of all ethnic groups.

The strategy covers six provinces, five autonomous regions and one municipality directly under the central government, which account for 71.4 percent of China’s land territory. Due to natural, historical and social factors, these places have lagged behind the rest of the country in economic development. The strategy to develop the west and the determination to fuel the growth of central and western China are significant to expanding internal demand, promoting sustainable growth, coordinating regional development for common prosperity, increasing ethnic solidarity and social stability, and consolidating the frontier areas.

In early 2017, the State Council approved the 13th Five-year Plan for the Large-scale Development of the Western Region, with the overall objectives of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects by 2020, enhancing local economic strength and people’s wellbeing, and improving ecological conservation. More specifically, the areas involved will have sustainable and sound economic growth, stronger capacity for innovation-driven development, substantial progress in transformation and upgrading, better infrastructure, substantive change of local environment, and better public services.

西部大開發戰略

西部大開發是20世紀末21世紀初黨中央、國務院貫徹鄧小平關于中國現代化建設“兩個大局”思想做出的重大戰略決策。1999年9月，中共十五屆四中全會提出：國家要實施西部大開發戰略。2000年1月，國務院成立了西部地區開發領導小組。

西部大開發總體規劃可劃分為三個階段：從2001年到2010年是奠定基礎階段，從2011到2030年是加速發展階段，從2031年到2050年是全面推進現代化階段。國家提出西部開發要以基礎設施建設為基礎，以生態環境保護為根本，以經濟結構調整、開發特色產業為關鍵，以依靠科技進步、培養人才為保障，以改革開放為動力，以繁榮經濟、使各族人民共同富裕為出發點。

西部大開發的范圍包括中國12個省、自治區、直轄市，面積約占全國的71.4%。由于自然、歷史、社會等原因，西部地區經濟發展相對落后。實施西部大開發戰略、加快中西部地區發展，對于擴大內需，推動國民經濟持續增長，促進各地區經濟協調發展，最終實現共同富裕，對于加強民族團結，維護社會穩定和鞏固邊防，具有十分重要的意義。

2017年初，國務院正式批復了《西部大開發“十三五”規劃》，提出的總目標是，到2020年如期全面建成小康社會，西部地區綜合經濟實力、人民生活水平和質量、生態環境狀況再上新臺階。具體目標包括經濟持續健康發展、創新驅動發展能力顯著增強、轉型升級取得實質性進展、基礎設施進一步完善、生態環境實質性改善、公共服務能力顯著增強等6方面。