西部地区有丰富的资源和广阔的市场,是长江、黄河、珠江等河流的发源地,是我国少数民族主要聚居地并有漫长的国境线。西部大开发有利于改善全国生态环境,实施可持续发展战略;有利于加强少数民族地区发展,促进民族大团结,保障边疆安全。中央在世纪之交提出实施西部大开发,有着重大的政治意义和经济 The western region is rich in resources and a vast market. It is the birthplace of rivers such as the Yangtze River, the Yellow River and the Pearl River. It is also a major national borderline for ethnic minorities in China. The large-scale development of the western region will be conducive to improving the national ecological environment and implementing the strategy of sustainable development. It will be conducive to strengthening the development of ethnic minority areas, promoting national unity and safeguarding border security. At the turn of the century, the Central Government proposed implementing the great development of the western region with great political significance and economy