On March 22, 1999, the Opinions of the State Council on Promoting Further Development of Western Region elaborated 10 suggestions for the further development of the western region.

The proposal and implementation of this strategy are conducive to fostering a unified national market and improving the socialist market economic system; promoting the strategic adjustment of economic structure and speeding up coordinated regional economic development; expanding domestic demand and providing driving forces for the sustainable growth of the national economy; improving country's ecological situation and creating a better environment for Chinese nation's survival and development; further expanding the opening of the country to the outside world and making good use of domestic and foreign markets and resources. It is therefore of great economic, social and political significance.