Year: at the fourth session of the 9th CPPCC National Committee held in 2001

Proposal No: 0359

Proposer: The Central Committee of Jiusan Society

Content: 

1. Advantages of the Yangtze River Economic Belt 

The Yangtze River Economic Belt has geographical advantages. 

The Yangtze River links eastern, central and western China. Together with the many railway lines connecting southern and northern areas, it helps form the country's largest main transportation network. The big area of the belt suggests a huge development potential that gathers resources from home and abroad. Its economic vitality can influence surrounding areas and thus drive the national economy. 

The Yangtze River Economic Belt has rich resources. 

The Yangtze River Basin has 34 percent of China's water resources, which are capable of generating up to 286 million kilowatts, 40 percent of the country's total. The belt also features rich agricultural and mining resources. Its production of grain and cotton is 40 percent of the country's as a whole. 

The Yangtze River Economic Belt has industrial advantages. 

The belt has strength in industries such as automobiles, heavy chemical engineering, spinning, mechatronics engineering and high-tech industries. 

2. Innovative methods should be taken to develop the Yangtze River Economic Belt 

The main focus is on structural adjustment. 

The industrial structure should be adjusted to spur high-tech industries and upgrade traditional industries with advanced technologies. Development of small and medium-sized enterprises should be encouraged, especially those involved in technology, resources' utilization, agricultural products' processing, export, community services and those that can provide massive employment. Tertiary industry should also be promoted, including finance, insurance, information, e-commerce, intermediary service, tourism and transportation. The regional economic structure and ownership system should also be adjusted. 

Environmental protection should be highlighted. 

We suggest giving farmers financial support to renovate some farmland in the upstream area of the Yangtze River into terraced fields to prevent water and soil erosion and to increase agricultural production and farmers' income. The development of the belt should balance environmental protection with proactive measures taken in planning, design and construction. Anyone conducting construction projects on the belt should pay an ecological fee, to be used in further environmental protection work.

The role of cities should be spotlighted. 

The development of cities on the belt, especially small cities and towns, should be emphasized, with targeted policies in place to develop their pillar industries and distinctive economy in a bid to increase their strength and drive regional economy. 

A market-oriented principle should be adopted. 

A leadership group composed  of related ministries and local governments along the Yangtze River should be founded to conduct regional economic activities based on the country's policies and market economy. A development plan for the belt should be drafted to clarify infrastructural construction and industrial layout of the belt. A series of regulations and policies should be given to tighten micro adjustment and governance. Investment in the belt in the sectors of infrastructure, technology and education should be increased to create an ideal environment for its development.