Du Ping, head of the comprehensive planning group under the Office of the Leading Group for Western Region Development of the State Council, made the statement during a press conference before the 2004 China Western Forum scheduled from Nov. 18 to 19 here.

The motto of the forum is "Adhere to the scientific concept of development and promote the western region to develop in a comprehensive, coordinated and sustainable manner."

Du said the theme is decided by leaders of the State Council and will be a guiding principle for the development of the western region. The central government implemented macro-regulation of the economic development of the country in the second half of last year. At the beginning of this year, it began to emphasize on a scientific concept of social and economic development. "Naturally the western region should also abide by such a policy," Du said.

He said difficulties and problems do exist in the western region and development is the only key to solving these problems. However, it should be developed scientifically, which means society, economy, environment and human beings to develop in a coordinated and sustainable way.

There are four main topics of the forum, which are, enhance agriculture, industry, service in the western region and promote cooperation between eastern and western regions.

The four topics have been arranged according to the idea of enhancing competitive industries of the western region, Du said. " Only the competitive industries of the region are developed, can the region have the ability of self-development and the locals benefit from the western development forever."

Du said the central government will continue to grant favorable policies for western region and new measures of related ministries will be carried out later.

The two-day forum is held by the Office of the Leading Group for Western Region Development of the State Council, the State Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Commerce, the Information Office of the State Council and the government of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.