BEIJING - China's central government on Wednesday highlighted policies and measures to accelerate the development of the Inner Mongolia autonomous region, to improve people's livelihoods and protect the environment.

According to a statement released after an executive meeting of the State Council, presided over by Premier Wen Jiabao, development in the Inner Mongolia autonomous region will 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 the statement.

"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 also seek to reduce desertification and soil erosion and continue to support the region with a massive subsidy program to protect the region's grasslands from overgrazing.

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 staff in the region 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 policies for industrial development, taxation, financing and investment.

Xinhua

(China Daily 06/16/2011 page2)