YINCHUAN: Chinese President Hu Jintao has called for more efforts to promote social, economic development in the underdeveloped western areas of the country.

Hu made the call during his three-day visit to northwestern Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region from Sunday to Tuesday.

This year marks the tenth anniversary of China's campaign to develop the west.

Hu said the past decade witnessed a good beginning of and laid a solid foundation for the "West Development" drive and the next decade would be a crucial period for pushing forward the campaign.

To develop the west would remain one of the priorities in the 12th five-year plan starting 2011, during which the central government would provide more favorable policies and greater funds to western areas, Hu said.

He called for transforming the economic growth pattern, and improving people's livelihood, as he visited local factories, farms, renovated shanty-towns and new villages housing farmers that had migrated to from virtually uninhabitable areas.

Hu also stressed eco-protection as he visited a wet land reserve.

Ningxia has a population of 6.18 million, 36 percent of which are of Hui ethnic group.