在世纪之交 ,我国社会主义现代化事业向新世纪全面推进 ,党中央提出并开始实施西部大开发战略。这一高瞻远瞩的战略构想 ,具有重大的政治意义和经济意义。西部 10个省、市、自治区 ,土地面积 54 0万平方公里 ,占全国陆地面积的 56 % ;广袤的国土蕴藏着丰富的矿藏资源、水能资源、旅游资源、土地资源、石油天然气资源。西部的开发将有力地推动全国经济结构的调整和经济的全面发展。西部地区总人口 2 85亿人 ,占全国的 2 3% ,是我国少数民族的聚居区。开发西部地区 ,促进各民族的经济发展和社会进步 ,将有力地增强民族团结 ,保障边疆安全 ,实现国家的长治久安。西部大开发战略的实施 ,需要社会科学工作者的参与。我们热切期望广大社会科学工作者积极为西部大开发贡献自己的智慧 At the turn of the century, the cause of socialist modernization in our country has been pushed forward in an all-round way to the new century. The CPC Central Committee has proposed and started to implement the strategy for the great development of the western region. This far-sighted strategic vision has great political and economic significance. The 10 western provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions have a land area of ​​5.4 million square kilometers, accounting for 56% of the country’s land area. The vast territory contains abundant mineral resources, hydropower resources, tourism resources, land resources and oil and natural gas resources. The development in the west will effectively promote the readjustment of the national economic structure and the all-round economic development. The total population of the western region is 285 million, accounting for 23% of the country’s total. It is a concentrated area for ethnic minorities in our country. To develop the western region and promote the economic development and social progress of all ethnic groups will effectively enhance national unity, guarantee the security in the border areas and bring about long-term peace and stability for the country. The implementation of the strategy of developing the western region requires the participation of social scientists. We sincerely hope that the majority of social scientists will actively contribute their wisdom to the development of the western region