The Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region will continue to seek a path to sustainable development in the coming years, according to the region's 11th Five-Year Plan (2006-10).

The plan expects the region's growth rates for gross domestic product (GDP) and per capita residents' incomes to be higher than the national average in the coming years.

It is also expected that the region's GDP and fiscal revenue in 2010 will double the figures of 2005.

If all the goals are realized, Inner Mongolia will become a dynamic region in North China with a strong economy, rational economic structure and social stability in the first decade of the century, the plan envisages.

To meet these goals, the plan suggests that the autonomous region make further efforts to build up its comprehensive strength in the years to come.

Because agricultural pursuits, especially animal husbandry, play an important role in the region's economy, emphasis will be placed on the construction of the new countryside - a move proposed by the central government.

Enhancing agricultural production, helping farmers increase incomes, advocating a new lifestyle and promoting democratic administration will be the key aspects of the construction of the new countryside.

It is predicted that the output of grain, meats and milk will be 17.5 million tons, 4 million tons and 15 million tons respectively in 2010. In addition, about 3 million hectares of farmlands and grasslands will have access to an effective irrigation system. Further, highway connections and telecommunication service will be offered to every village.

The region will continue to promote the optimization of its industrial structure, with priority given to the six advantageous sectors of energy, agricultural product processing, metallurgy, chemicals, equipment manufacturing and hi-tech industry.

The plan predicts the region's coal production, installed power generation capacity and natural gas production will reach 400 million tons, 55 million kilowatts and 12 billion cubic meters respectively in 2010.

In addition, because Inner Mongolia shares a long border with Mongolia and Russia and has a unique landscape and cultural heritage, border trade and tourism will also be the highlights of its future development.

To lay a solid foundation for the region's economic growth, the plan emphasizes continued improvement of infrastructural facilities for the autonomous region.

The region plans to build 3,066 km of railways by 2010, increasing its total railway length to 11,000 km. Its highway mileage will reach 89,000 km, and the number of airports will hit 14.

Resource saving and environmental protection will be key to the region's sustainable development.

The saving of energy, raw materials, water and land will be promoted. It is planned that 60 percent of the water for industrial production will be recycled and reused. Industrial wastes like solid wastes, wastewater and waste gas will also be reused.

In addition, the autonomous region will enhance investment in desert control. It is expected that about 30 million hectares of land that has suffered desertification will be transformed to grasslands or farmlands by 2010.

The plan also expects further deepening of the autonomous region's reform and opening up process.

The 11th Five-Year Plan will be a crucial period for the reform of the administrative system, State-owned enterprises and fiscal and financial system, and breakthroughs are expected in these respects.

Regarding opening up, the autonomous region expects to realize a foreign trade volume of $11 billion and attract $1.8 billion in foreign investment, as well as 250 billion yuan in investment from the rest of the country.

The region's economic growth will eventually benefit local residents, as it is expected that 1.02 million new job opportunities will be created.

The region will promote free primary and junior middle school education in the coming years.

In addition, a public healthcare system covering both rural and urban areas will be established by 2010.

(China Daily 07/20/2007 page4)