China gets aid to improve transport system

MANILA, Philippines, June 15 (UPI) -- China will get international aid to improve its transport system in the Xinjiang Uygur region.

The Asian Development Bank Friday agreed to provide $700,000 to help the transport network of five cities in the region, which is seen as one of the poorest parts of China. The ADB pointed out that more than 13 percent of the population in Xinjiang lives below the official poverty line, compared to 3.4 percent nationwide.

"To maximize the development potential of Xinjiang and to raise the living standards of the people, the government has accorded high priority to support the sustainable economic development of the region, particularly border cities and cities along major transport corridors," said Amy Leung, principal urban development specialist at the bank's East Asia department.

The Chinese government has also asked the ADB to provide an additional $100 million that will be used to further improve its transport system as well as the environment.