西部地区矿产资源的比较优势突出，分布集中，具备形成优势支柱产业的资源基础。全国已察明资源储量的157种矿产中，西部地区拥有138种。西部地区的有色金属储量丰富，还有许多富有的金属和非金属矿产。中部地区拥有丰富的能源、多种金属和非金属矿产资源。其中有20多种

Passage One:
    China is rich in wildlife species. There are about 6,000 vertebrates alone and 30,000 species of higher plants. In order to accelerate the development of conservation, the Chinese government implemented "the National Wildlife Conservation and Nature Reserves Development Program". The establishment of nature reserves has put a number of representative and typical eco-systems with scientific research value as well as rare and endangered species under effective protection. Moreover, China has established over 250 wild fauna rescue and breeding bases, over 400 genetic reserves for wild flora and a stable artificial population for 200-odd rare and endangered wild fauna species and 1,000-odd wild flora species. This protects the rare and highly endangered species from extinction. Some have been successfully reintroduced to nature.
Passage Two:
    The concentrated distribution of mineral resources in the western region produces a strong comparative advantage for the area and provides a strong foundation of resources for pillar industries. Among the 157 mineral resources with proven reserves throughout the country, 138 are found in the western region. The western region is rich in nonferrous metal resources. There are also many kinds of metallic and nonmetallic ores of high grade found in the region. The central region has abundant energy, multi-metal and nonmetallic mineral resources. More than 20 kinds of mineral resources account for 50 percent or more of their respective total reserves. Daqing Oilfield and Zhongyuan Oilfield are both large petroleum bases in China. The output of copper and phosphorus ores in the central region accounts for 40 percent of the country’s total.