Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region will see its development further boosted as Shanghai, the country's commercial hub, has decided to set aside some 1.55 billion yuan (about 234 million U.S. dollars) in funds this year to back construction of more than 100 projects in the remote northwest Chinese region.

Information from the headquarters responsible for affairs involving Shanghai aiding Xinjiang said the supporting projects, 111 in all, would be with Kashi Prefecture in western Xinjiang.

These projects will largely involve works that will have a bearing on the livelihood of the people, ranging from housing, health care and medical treatment, education, to scientific and technological popularization.

China's central government mobilized in March 2010 a new round of support packages from 19 provincial or municipal governments across the country to help boost Xinjiang's economic growth.

Shanghai, which has been assigned with the mission to aid development in Kashi, decided to intensify aids first with Kashi's four counties of Shache, Zepu, Yecheng and Bachu, by striving to solve problems or bottlenecks stagnating progress in the four areas for the time being and in a long run.

"We hope with our aids, the livelihood of the local residents in concerned areas of Xinjiang will be improved, and these areas will become attractive to outside investors and talents," said a spokesman for the headquarters responsible for affairs involving Shanghai aiding Xinjiang.

Shanghai would also work to turn Shache County in a center of southern Kashi, while helping Zepu achieve leapfrog development, and Yecheng and Bachu develop industries in accordance with local conditions in the 12th Five-Year Plan (2011-2015) period, he said.