China is pushing forward its ambitious "go west" campaign with
the imminent completion of a draft law which aims to close the
widening gap between the underdeveloped western region and the
east's wealthy coastal areas.
Wang Jinxiang, vice-minister of the
National Development and Reform
Commission, described the legislation as "a breakthrough" in
China's legislative history as it was the first time the country
had constituted a law solely for the development of a single
region.
"It demonstrates the great significance of the western region as
it concerns the long-term and sustainable development of the whole
country," said Wang. He added that the Legislative Affairs Office
of the
State Council is processing the 14th version of the bill.
"After the office deliberates on the draft law it will then be
submitted to the National People's Congress (NPC)
Standing Committee for review," he said.
Wang declined to say when the law will be passed by the top
legislature but noted it has been included in the 10th NPC Standing
Committee's legislative plan between 2003 and 2008.
"Personally speaking, I believe the sooner the law on promoting
western development is enacted the more the whole country will
benefit," he said.
Wang, who is also executive deputy director of the Office of the
Leading Group for Western Region Development of the State Council,
made the remarks on the sidelines of the annual
session of the 10th NPC--China's top legislature.
The legislation is believed to be a major part of China's "go
west" campaign which was launched in 2000 to address the growing
inequality between the western and eastern regions.
Western China, which comprises some 71.4 per cent of the
nation's territory and holds more than half of its mineral
resources, has not enjoyed the same degree of prosperity as the
east. In 2004 the combined gross domestic product (GDP) of the 12
western provinces and autonomous regions accounted for only 18.8
percent of the country's GDP that year.
Wang said the bill aims to create a favorable legal environment
and support for a smooth implementation of the western region
development program.
Although central government has published some separate
regulations and documents to introduce preferential fiscal and
taxation policies for the western regions the national lawmakers
have been pushing for the legislation since 2000.
Wang said the draft law covers all major aspects of the "go
west" campaign. The bill identifies goals, the responsibilities of
the central and local governments, the financing, the central
government's preferential policies and legal measures for
protecting investment.
He noted that the draft law was based on the extensive
experience of Japan, Canada, Germany, the United States and France
in promoting the development of their poorer regions.
Despite the benefits expected from the law a senior official
said that heavy-polluting industries may consider moving into the
western region. However, to protect the environment, he said,
investment in high-tech, resource-saving industries would be
encouraged to locate in the western region.
(China Daily March 14, 2006)
