China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region will invest 1.5 billion yuan, or US$181 million, in upgrading 10 thousand kilometers of roads.

The new roads will improve transport routes for more than 500 thousand people in the area.

In recent years, the autonomous region has invested heavily in roads to improve transportation in the region.

There are now 40 thousand kilometers of roads in the rural areas, with local governments aiming to have a road to every village in the region within five years.

(CRI February 21, 2005)