The reporter learned from the Development and Reform Commission of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in early August that the Western Development strategy implemented since 2000 has brought forth great changes to the economic and social development of Inner Mongolia in six aspects.

The comprehensive economic strength is enhanced remarkably. The GNP of 2004 was 271.2 billion yuan, a growth of 87.9% compared with that of 2000 and the economic growth rate is the biggest in China. The per capita financial income is 1525 yuan, an increase of 869 yuan compared with 2000. In the first half of this year, the GNP is 118.74 bllion yuan, a year-on-year growth of 20%; the total financial income is 25.64 billion yuan, a hike of 8.77 billion yuan year-on-year.

The industrial economy continues to grow. The industry realized 12.389 billion yuan profit in 2004, a year-on-year growth of 89.6% (51.5% higher than the national average) with an increase of 5.86 billion yuan. The added value of industry with considerably scale is 77.68 billion yuan, taking the 6th position among 12 provinces and municipalities in West Chinaand the increase rate also tops the whole country. In the first half of 2005, the industry has realized 46.35 billion yuan added value, a growth of 31.1%. The industrial structure is further optimized and pillar industry and feature industry develop rapidly.

Ecological building has harvested obvious result. Since 1998, a batch of ecological projects as natural forest resources protection, Beijing and Tianjin sandstorm source harness and grain for green project are implemented successively. The scope involves 96 banners and counties (cities) and the forest coverage rate is upgraded to 17.5%from 13.8% in 1997.

Infrastructure for communications and transportation is improved largely. A "three longitudes and nine latitudes" highway network is taking form basically; the total railway mileage reaches 7475 km and a road network for west-east coal transmission and ocean and railway joint transportation which connects north China, northeast China and northwest China is formed; nine civil airports are built and over 30 domestic and international flight routes are opened. Baita Airport of Hohhot and Hailar Airport of have become fronts with Russia and Mongolia

The step of opening is accelerated. In the previous six months of 2005, 1426 investment invitation projects are implemented and 37.57 billion yuan is introduce, a growth of 68.6% compared with that of last year.Of which, 219 projects are cooperative ones with Huangye Drainage Area and 4.84 billion yuan is introduced. The cooperationagreements for 83 projects have been signed with foreign investors and the contractual foreign fund is US$603 million, the actual absorbed fund is US$324 million, a growth of 40.6% year-on-year.

Advantageous industries get further development. By centering on such key projects as "West-East Power Transmission" "West-East Gas Transmission" and "coal liquefaction", five large coal projects and 34 power projects are constructed. In 2004, the coal yield was 202 million tons, only next to Shanxi in China; the crude oil yield was 1.157 million tons and power generation volume was 81.72billion kwa. A total of 31.95 billion kwa power was transmitted to other regions, ranking No. 1 in China.