The National Development and Reform Commission says that it will support regional development especially in less advanced regions.

The NDRC said Monday that economic growth in eastern China has slowed but is still expanding at a steady pace. China’s central area saw fixed investment rise the fastest. However, development is lagging in the west and northeast.

The NDRC plans to reduce the number of people living in poverty by more than 10 million and this year will invest 5.5 billion yuan in a series of projects intended to achieve that goal. The NDRC says it will also improve land use management while maintaining eastern China’s growth momentum as the country’s economic engine.