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.
西部大开发战略
西部大开发是20世纪末21世纪初中共中央、国务院贯彻邓小平关于中国现代化建设“两个大局”思想作出的重大战略决策。1999年9月，中共十五届四中全会提出，国家要实施西部大开发战略。2000年1月，国务院成立西部地区开发领导小组。2000年10月，中共十五届五中全会通过《中共中央关于制定国民经济和社会发展第十个五年计划的建议》，把实施西部大开发、促进地区协调发展作为一项战略任务。
西部大开发是一项规模宏大的系统工程，总体规划划分为三个阶段：从2001年到2010年是奠定基础阶段，从2011年到2030年是加速发展阶段，从2031年到2050年是全面推进现代化阶段。国家提出，西部开发要以基础设施建设为基础，以生态环境保护为根本，以经济结构调整、开发特色产业为关键，以依靠科技进步、培养人才为保障，以改革开放为动力，以繁荣经济、使各族人民共同富裕为出发点。
2017年1月，国家发展改革委印发《西部大开发“十三五”规划》，提出这一时期西部大开发的总目标是，到2020年如期全面建成小康社会，西部地区综合经济实力、人民生活水平和质量、生态环境状况再上新台阶。2019年8月15日，国家发展改革委印发《西部陆海新通道总体规划》，明确到2025年将基本建成西部陆海新通道。2020年5月，中共中央、国务院印发《关于新时代推进西部大开发形成新格局的指导意见》提出，推进西部大开发形成大保护、大开放、高质量发展的新格局。
西部大开发的范围包括中国12个省、自治区、直辖市，面积约占全国的71.4%。由于自然、历史、社会等原因，西部地区经济社会发展相对落后。实施西部大开发战略、加快中西部地区发展，对于推动国民经济持续增长，促进区域协调发展，加强民族团结，维护社会稳定和巩固边防具有重要意义。
