BEIJING -- China's first evaluative report on economic quality in the western region predicted that the region's economy will grow by 13 percent, higher than the nation's average.

The report was published during the Western Region Economic Development Forum held in Beijing on Sunday.

As a part of an annual research report on economic development in the western regions of China, the Western Blue Book 2011 has reviewed and analyzed economic growth in western areas since the implementation of the country's strategy on the development of western regions in 2000.

The blue book, published by the Social Science Academic Press, features an evaluative system based on six indices: efficiency, compatibility, stability, sustainability, creativity and the sharing of economic growth.

The report concluded that local economies in China's western regions have been developing rapidly since the western development strategy was adopted.

It confirmed that the living standards of local residents in western regions have seen great increases over the past eleven years.

The report also summarized the main obstacles barring economic growth in west China and suggested several policy changes and additions in accordance with the problems facing west China's economies.

Western regions will need to focus on improving education and environmental protection in the future, as well as creating more opportunities for local residents to earn more money, Yao Huiqin, a professor from Northwest University, said at the forum.

Qiu Haiping, an economics expert from Renmin University, said at the forum that the issuance of the report was timely, since it will allow government officials to take west China's economic development into consideration as they work to boost the effects of the western development strategy.