The 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 15th CPC Central Committee at its fourth plenary session agreed a strategy for large-scale development of western China. In January 2000, the State Council set up a leading group for western development. In October 2000, large-scale development of the western region was listed one of the CPC Central Committee's recommendations for drafting China's 10th Five-year Plan (2001-2005).

Overall development of the western region is a large project that 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 all the ethnic groups of the western region.

In January 2017, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) issued 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.

In August 2019, the NDRC set the goal for 2025 in the General Plan for New Land-Sea Transit Routes for the Western Region. In May 2020, the central authorities urged efforts to create new large-scale, high-quality development along with eco-environmental protection.

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 essential to promoting sustainable growth, coordinating development among regions, increasing ethnic solidarity and social stability, and consolidating the frontier areas.

西部大開發戰略

西部大開發是20世紀末21世紀初中共中央、國務院貫徹鄧小平關于中國現代化建設“兩個大局”思想作出的重大戰略決策。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，國務院成立西部地區開發領導小組。2000年10月，中共十五屆五中全會通過《中共中央關于制定國民經濟和社會發展第十個五年計劃的建議》，把實施西部大開發、促進地區協調發展作為一項戰略任務。

西部大開發是一項規模宏大的系統工程，總體規劃劃分為三個階段：從2001年到2010年是奠定基礎階段，從2011年到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。

2017年1月，國家發展改革委印發《西部大開發“十三五”規劃》，提出這一時期西部大開發的總目標是，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。2019年8月15日，國家發展改革委印發《西部陸海新通道總體規劃》，明確到2025年將基本建成西部陸海新通道。2020年5月，中共中央、國務院印發《關于新時代推進西部大開發形成新格局的指導意見》提出，推進西部大開發形成大保護、大開放、高質量發展的新格局。

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，西部地區經濟社會發展相對落后。實施西部大開發戰略、加快中西部地區發展，對于推動國民經濟持續增長，促進區域協調發展，加強民族團結，維護社會穩定和鞏固邊防具有重要意義。