A list of 100 townships included in the “One-Hundred Town Development” project initiated by the Shanxi provincial government was released recently, Shanxi Evening News reported on Nov 19.

Shanxi province started the project last year as a means by which selected towns can gain momentum and bring their advantages into full play in five years. Priority will be given to the towns in terms of financial and policy support for construction and improvement of infrastructure, schools, hospitals and the environment.

Those towns that meet the requirements of the project after appraisal will receive a subsidy fund of 20 million yuan ($3.21 million) each from the Shanxi Provincial Department of Finance.

Town development in accordance with the requirements of the project is now a part of the annual performance appraisal of leaders at related municipal governments.

"The development of cities is not the only goal that Shanxi is pursuing. Instead, we are looking for the overall development of both urban and rural areas. That's why the ‘One-Hundred Town Development’ project was initiated," said Meng Haigui with the Shanxi Academy of Social Sciences.

The following list includes the towns in the project:

Taiyuan (five）

Xugou of Qingxu county

Mengfeng of Qingxu county

Nitun of Yangqu county

Jingyou of Loufan county

Malan of Gujiao city

Datong (five)

Yuangang of Nanjiao district

Luowenzao of Yanggao county

Xinpingbao of Tianzhen county

Donghenan of Lingqiu county

Que'rshan of Zuoyun county

Beijiazao of Datong county

Yangquan (five)                                                                                                                          

Suburban Hedi

Niangziguan of Pingding county

Zhangzhuang of Pingding county

Nanlou of Yuxian county

Xiyan of Yuxian county

Shuozhou (five)

Fenghuangcheng of Pinglu district

Beizhouzhuang of Shanyin county

Nanhezhong of Yingxian county

Youwei of Youyu county

Jinshatan of Huairen county

Jinzhong (twelve)

Dongyang of Yuci district

Yunzhu of Yushe county

Matian of Zuoquan county

Liyang of Heshun county

Dazhai of Xiyang county

Zong'ai of Shouyang county

Hucun of Taigu county

Dongguan of Qixian county

Hongshan of Pingyao county

Jingsheng of Lingshi county

Yi'an of Jiexiu city

Zhanglan of Jiexiu city