BEIJING - China's central government on Wednesday discussed policies and measures that will accelerate the development of Inner Mongolia, highlighting the improvement of people's livelihoods and social stability.

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An executive meeting of the State Council, presided over by Premier Wen Jiabao, said that development in Inner Mongolia should be boosted by adjusting its economic growth mode, improving its standard of living, conserving resources, protecting the environment and promoting national unity and social stability.

By 2020, the incomes of urban and rural residents in Inner Mongolia, one of China's five ethnic autonomous regions, should surpass the national average, according to a statement released after the meeting.

The government will strive to curb a trend of deterioration in the region's ecological environment by 2015, according to the statement.

The region's comprehensive economic power should be enhanced and living conditions for farmers and herders should be markedly improved, the statement said.

"Inner Mongolia is of strategic importance for the country's economic and social development, as well as its prosperity and stability in bordering areas," the statement said.

The government will make more efforts to reduce desertification and soil erosion and continue to support the region as a major player in a massive subsidy program launched by the central government to protect the region's grasslands from overgrazing, it said.

By 2015, the region's forest coverage should increase to 21.5 percent, and its grassland vegetation coverage should hit 43 percent, according to the statement.

The government wishes to modernize the region and accelerate the construction of infrastructure in its rural areas in order to improve living conditions for farmers and herders, the statement said.

By 2013, the government will ensure that farmers, herders and forestry center staffers in the region will have potable water to drink, as well as improved access to electricity, the statement said.

The State Council ordered relevant regions and authorities to work out stronger supporting polices to back Inner Mongolia in terms of industrial development, taxation, financing and investment.

The region should set up a diversified modern industrial system by turning itself into a national energy base and upgrading its existing traditional industries, the statement said.

Other issues outlined at the meeting included coordinating urban and rural development, alleviating poverty, deepening reforms and enhancing the region's infrastructure.