An official with the State Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) said Thursday that China should develop industries with low pollution and high efficiency in the western region.

Wang Chunzheng, vice minister in charge of the economic policy maker NDRC, made the remarks at the 2004 Western Forum of China which opened Thursday in Nanning, capital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

Wang said China's west has taken on a new look since the launch of western development strategy. China has earmarked about 400 billion yuan (48 billion US dollars) for 60 projects to improve the infrastructure. By the end of 2003, the western region has seen 75,000 km of new roads. The region has built up production bases of special farm produces and mineral resources.

But the western region is weak in geographical resources, said Wang. The northwestern area of China has chronic water shortages while the southwestern area is rocky. Transportation costs are also high in the west.

"Therefore, the western region should suspend the development of industries that exert large amount of pollution with low efficiency," said Wang.

China is mapping out its eleventh five-year plan. Wang said the west could take advantage of its beautiful landscape, rich mineral resources and special farm produces to develop clean industries.

Source: Xinhua