Lanzhou-Xining-Yinchuan Urban Corridor and China''s Western Development
兰州—西宁—银川城市带与西部开发

Through an analysis of urban-regional statistics, while reviewing its basic characteristics, the four major functions of the Lanzhou-Xining-Yinchuan urban corridor are discussed: as strategic location and development pole in China's hinterland; as nexus linking between China's eastern and western parts, between China and Inner Asian and European countries; as site of energy and petrochemical production and major passageway in protecting national resource security; and as major construction zone in protecting national ecology security. Focusing on the problems of sectoral restructuring, marketisation, openness of economy, this article highlights the future trend of development and strategic options: to speed up transport construction in the urban corridor; to transform factor endowments into actual economic advantage; to create subregional environment conducive to investment and open society; and to focus on education, technology and ecological construction.