Till the year 2005, the central government has invested a total of 1.61 trillion yuan in the western region since the implementation of the strategy of developing the western region in 2000.

The fund includes 550 billion yuan budgeted and 750 billion yuan transferred by the central government, and 310 billion yuan of long-term treasury bonds.

State investment also boosted social investment, promoting the rapid economic development of the western region, according to the office under the State Council for the development of the western region.

70 key projects were launched in the western region with a total investment of one trillion yuan by the end of 2005. The gap between the west and other regions has been narrowed in terms of economic growth.

There has been a remarkable improvement in the protection of ecological system and environment and the infrastructure construction in the western region.

The west-east gas pipeline project was completed and went into commercial operation a year ahead of schedule. The Qinghai-Tibet railway was completed a year ahead of schedule.

By the end of 2005, 5.64 million hectares of forests were restored, 7.72 million hectares of barren land were afforested, and 19.3 million hectares of seriously degraded pasture were put under control.

By People's Daily Online