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its economy with
special characteristics. He considers it very important to understand
and study in depth the reality of the province, recognizing its advantages
and disadvantages so as to foster strengths and circumvent weaknesses.
Gansu has the following four advantages: 1.
Unique natural resources. Gansu is rich in mineral, water
energy and medicinal herb resources.
2.
Unique agricultural environment. The agriculture
in Gansu is generally a plateau one. It has advantages in developing melons,
fruits and vegetables. 3.
A fairly sound industrial basis. Since the 1950s, a group of promising
enterprises in fields including steel making and chemicals have been established.
But there is much left to do to develop their potential to the fullest
to extend the reach of industry and develop an economy with regional characteristics. 4.
Human resources. Statistics show that there is a population of 68,000
engaged in scientific and technological activities in Gansu. This means
that there are 27 scientific researchers and technicians out of every
10,000 people. The rate is higher than the national average, and also
higher than that of Guangdong and Shandong provinces. Efforts should be
made to kindle their enthusiasm for work and enable them to release their
latent energy. In addition, the price of labor in the province is very
cheap. The annual cost per person was 4,082 yuan in cities and townships,
and 3,382 yuan in rural areas in 1998. This price is only some 60 percent
of the national level. Taking these advantages into consideration, Song Zhaosu put forward the
idea of developing the productive forces in three layers. On the one hand,
priority shall be given to the construction of the Lanzhou commercial
center. As capital of the province, Lanzhou has advantages in the region
and has complete transport facilities. According to the provincial economic
development plans and the central government¡¯s program of accelerating
the development of the west, Lanzhou should quicken its steps toward the
goal of becoming an economic and trade center so as to play a leading
role in realizing the overall development goal in the west. And on the
other, efforts should be made to transform and build a group of basic
industries, towns and large and medium-sized cities along the trunk railway
and highway lines. The Lianyungang-Lanzhou Railway, an important part
of the second Eurasian Land Bridge, runs through Gansu from north to south.
The neighboring No. 45 state highway also runs through the province. Along
these two transportation lines there are the cities of Tianshui, Dingxi,
Lanzhou, Baiyin, Wuwei, Jinchang, Zhangye and Jiuquan. This geographic
situation is peculiar to Gansu. Pingliang Prefecture is not on a railway
line, though it is served by major highways. The construction of the Lanzhou-Chongqing
Railway will create better conditions for the development of Linxia, Hezuo
and Longnan. Such a layout conforms to the characteristics of the regional
economy and meets the requirements of development. It will effectively
promote the process of industrialization and urbanization in Gansu. |
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