Li Zibin, deputy director of the Office of the Leading Group for Western Region Development of the State Council, said at a press conference organized by the State Council Information Office, the central government will continue giving priority to investment in the west region as well as the traditional industrial belt in northeast China.

"The macro-control measures did not slow down development of the western region and the intensity of western region development is not reduced," said Li, also vice minister in charge of the State Development and Reform Commission.

While cooling down some over-heated industries, Li said, the state gives full supports to agriculture, energy, transportation, water conservancy, infrastructure construction, education, health, science and technology, culture and other social undertakings.

However, Li acknowledged that there are some repeated low-level construction of small electricity-generating plants, coke refineries and cement factories, which unreasonably consumed energy and brought about heavy pollution.

"These problems will do great harm to our national economy," Li said.

The current state policy on economy will distinguish different industries and treat them accordingly, some protected whereas some suppressed, Li said.

In further developing the west region and attracting more overseas funds, Li said, China plans to organize 2004 China Western Forum from Nov. 18 to 19 in Nanning, capital of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.