BEIJING -- The Chinese government has invested billions of yuan in major infrastructure and energy projects in the less developed western regions this year.

Construction has started on 33 major projects, including railways, water conservation projects and hydropower stations, with a total investment of 835 billion yuan ($136 billion), the National Development and Reform Commission said.

From 2000 to 2014 period, the government invested 4.84 trillion yuan on 240 projects in the area.

At a time when China's economy is struggling with softening domestic demand and a housing slowdown, the government is using infrastructure and industrial transfer to the west to support growth while reducing regional disparity.