5. We took new steps to balance development among different regions.

We thoroughly implemented the master strategy for regional development. We made substantial progress in the main tasks for promoting large-scale development of the western region. Construction began on 18 major infrastructure projects, with a total investment of 468.9 billion yuan. Industries that can take advantage of local strengths enjoyed faster development. We further strengthened the development of infrastructure, social programs and projects for people's well-being in the region.

The revitalization of northeast China and other old industrial bases accelerated. We promulgated and implemented the Guidelines on Further Implementing the Strategy for Revitalizing Northeast China and Other Old Industrial Bases. The policy framework for sustainable development of resource-dependent cities took shape. We expanded the work to clear up non-performing loans in the equipment manufacturing industry. Modern agriculture and modern services developed quickly.

We made new progress in energizing the development of the central region. We promulgated and implemented the plan for promoting the development of the central region. We pressed ahead with efforts to build three different types of production bases and a system of integrated transportation hubs. Powerful momentum was maintained in developing clusters of cities. Industries relocated to the region at a faster pace. The overall economic strength of the region further improved.

In the eastern region, efforts were intensified to ease the impacts of external demand contraction, accelerate restructuring and independent innovation, and foster emerging industries of strategic importance. The region witnessed stronger vitality in economic development and greater overall competitiveness. The development and opening up of special economic zones, the Shanghai Pudong New Area and the Tianjin Binhai New Area, deepened.

We continued to make regional development more balanced. We formulated and implemented a number of plans, policies and measures to support the development of key areas. We implemented the guidelines for the development of the Yangtze River Delta and the plan for the development of the Pearl River Delta. We formulated the guidelines for building Shanghai into an international financial and shipping center, developing the economic zone in Fujian Province on the west coast of the Taiwan Straits, and turning Hainan into an international tourist island. We drew up plans for the development of the coastal area of Jiangsu Province, the coastal economic belt in Liaoning Province, the ecological economic zone of the Yellow River Delta, the Guanzhong-Tianshui economic zone in Shaanxi and Gansu provinces, the Poyang Lake ecological economic zone in Jiangxi Province, Hengqin Island and the region on the Chinese bank of the Tumen River. We increased support for the development of the old revolutionary areas, ethnic minority areas, border areas and poor areas. Measures aimed at promoting the development of Xinjiang, Ningxia, Guangxi, Tibet and Tibetan areas in Qinghai and other provinces were gradually implemented. The flow of factors of production across regions continued well, and the industrial division of labor among regions was readjusted at a faster pace, giving different regions greater comparative advantages.