A number of local agricultural specialties zones have been
developed in western China's provinces and autonomous regions.
With the implementation of China's development strategy in western
area, the provinces and autonomous regions are determined to
make full use of local natural resources to promote rural
economy.
Farmland in the provinces and autonomous regions makes up
one-fourth of the country's total. Meanwhile, grassland and water
resources in the area account for 60 and 50 percent
respectively.
In
recent years, agricultural zones highlighting high-quality local
specialties have been burgeoning in western area, such as potatoes
in Gansu Province, flower in Yunan Province, color cotton in the
Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and milk products in the Inner
Mongolia Autonomous Region.
Shaanxi Province, in northwest China, has planted more than 400,000
hectares of apple trees with an annual output of four million tons.
The apples are exported to over 20 countries and regions worldwide,
earning eight billion yuan (US$ 960 million) per year.
In
the following years to come, China will focus on developing seven
major agricultural zones in western area featuring a variety of
local specialties including tropical fruits, sugar cane, tobacco,
cotton, olive oil and Chinese medicinal herbs.
(Xinhua News
Agency December 26, 2001)