Lack of innovation and scientific structure still issues of concern

China's western region has become a growth engine for the country's slowing economy, but experts warn it has an unscientific industrial structure and a shortage of innovation.

In 2012, the region's gross domestic product increased by 12.48 percent year-on-year, much faster than in the eastern and central parts of the country and 2.16 percent more than the national average, according to a report on the development of the western region released on Sunday.