Key facts
- China is launching a new, years-long investment push for its western regions.
- The plan is expected to transform an area covering close to one-third of China's landmass.
- The targeted region is roughly ten times the size of the UK and comparable to much of western Europe.
China's western regions, historically less developed than the coastal areas, are seen as a crucial frontier for economic growth and national integration. This initiative reflects a strategic effort by the central government to harness untapped resources and populations, potentially reshaping regional economic dynamics and strengthening central authority.