Western China Development Strategy, 10 Years on

Hundreds of companies from China's western areas are presenting the best of their products and services at the Fair, which runs until Tuesday.

Behind each company, there is a success story. They have all witnessed progress in western China since a national strategy was launched ten years ago to develop the vast western region.

Liao Jibo has more.

Reporter:

Lin Jianbin is the marketing manager of a packing material company in northwestern China's Gansu province.

The company was founded 10 years ago, when China began the western development strategy.

"We didn't make anything at the beginning. The company lacked investment and technology."

Five years ago, the local government approached the company, which produces environmentally friendly packing materials.

The company was granted special financial support for research and development. Its business was boosted.

"We benefited from the national strategy. Our business leaped forward. We have less than 100 employees, but our annual sales reached 1.6 million dollars. The per capita output is very high among middle and small sized companies."

Similar stories have been reported around the western regions, which occupy two thirds of China, after a national strategy was launched to develop the regions so as to catch up with the more developed eastern areas.

In the last 10 years, the Chinese central government has outlaid more than 500 billion US dollars to support the western regions.

The most obvious results are the improved infrastructure and people's livelihood. The economy has grown by nearly 12 percent annually, much higher than the national average of around 10 percent.

At the same time, local governments are moving to close the small and heavily polluting companies, such as chemical factories, in an effort to clean up the environment which has been partly damaged by swift economic growth during recent years.

China's success in developing the poor areas has also attracted attention from other developing countries.

Ahoua Toure is a journalist from Cote d'Ivoire accompanying Prime Minister Guillaume Soro, who also attended the trade fair.

"Our Prime Minister says we can see China's experience, and why not do the same thing at home?"

Investors from eastern parts of the country and overseas are also eying the potential in west China's huge market.

Hundreds of them are holding presentations at the trade fair.

Mr. Lin's packing material company has also been in contact with several of them to discuss cooperation. He is expecting a deal soon.

Liao Jibo, CRI News, Chengdu.