An institute specializing in research into economic development in China's vast western area was established in Xi'an Saturday at Northwest China University.

The Xi'an-based institute in this capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province was formed based on the economic research institute of Northwest China University, which was built in 1986. It is the only institution specializing in western China research among the 103 key research bases for the humanities designated by the Ministry of Education.

It has made some influential achievements in the fields of Marxism, economic theory, modern economic theory and development of the western economy.

The think tank's focus includes economic development theory and the theory of the market economy, the theory and practice of developing the west, and resources, environment and sustainable development in the western area.

(Xinhua 04/29/2001)