China plans to invest Rmb469bn in infrastructure projects to boost the development of the country’s western regions in 2009, said the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC). The investment will go to 18 projects, in sectors such as railways, expressways, hydropower stations, ports, water control and airports. One such project to start this year is the 345km-long Chongqing-Guiyang high-speed railway, which will allow a top speed of 250kph. Another is an expansion project of Chengdu Shuangliu airport.

Between 2000 and 2008, China launched 102 projects aimed at boosting the west, at a cost of Rmb1,740bn, according to the NDRC.

The West Development Strategy is the Chinese government’s main policy to reduce the growing gap between the underdeveloped western region and the more prosperous east.