Surveyors Upgrade Maps of Xinjiang to Facilitate Development

China's efforts to develop the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region are hindered by the lack of a detailed and precise map of the vast northwestern territory.

Now surveyors aim to fill the vacuum and build a comprehensive map database to facilitate the region's modernization drive.

Zhang Cheng has the details.
Only several years ago, over 40 percent of the land area in Xinjiang was still not covered by a map at the scale of 1:50,000. That situation has brought difficulties to the local economic planning and construction.

Ruan Chuanming, a geologist from Xinjiang Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources, describes the frustration of exploiting a local coal mine.

"A detailed and complete topographical map of the mine has not been available. Mining companies and our mineral exploitation team found it difficult to carry out drilling activities. The actual drilling well often strayed from the intended mining area."

This situation will change soon as surveyors enter the final stage of upgrading Xinjiang's map after years of effort.

Liu Geqing, who is in charge of Xinjiang Bureau of Surveying and Mapping, explains.

"By the end of the year, we will finish the surveying work for a map on the scale of 1:50,000 covering the whole region. This will provide a precious first-hand database for the development of Xinjiang."

A map on the scale of 1:50,000 is a fundamental map guide for a country's economic and social development. It serves to provide basic information for macro policy-making and regional economic planning.

In the next few years, surveyors will draft maps on the scale of 1:1,000 and 1:500 to provide more detailed information for Xinjiang's urban and rural planning.

Moreover, about 100 ground stations for the Global Positioning System will be built in the region with the launch of online digitalized map service.

Xu Deming is director of the State Bureau of Surveying and Mapping.

"We aim to build a digitalized Xinjiang within five years. This will greatly benefit the region's economic development, urban planning and people's daily life."

Xinjiang has a land area of more than 1.6 million square kilometers, accounting for about one sixth of China's total land area.

The region's development is high on the agenda of the Chinese government, which has laid out strategic development plans for the region to catch up with the country's rich provinces.

The region' per capita GDP is expected to reach the country's average level by 2015. And Chinese leaders have vowed to invest more resources to improve the region's public services and provide locals with a modern living environment.

For CRI, I'm Zhang Cheng.