China approved $550 billion in infrastructure for west regions since late 2012

SHANGHAI (Reuters) - China has approved 152 infrastructure projects worth a combined 3.75 trillion yuan ($549.39 billion) in its western regions since late 2012, a senior official at the state planning agency said on Thursday.

Fifty two projects had been completed and the remaining 100 would be finished by 2023, Xiao Weiming, head of the western development office for the National Development and Reform Commission, told a briefing in Beijing.

The projects include 12 new airports at a total cost of 162.4 billion yuan, as well as major road and rail infrastructure, water diversion facilities and hydroelectric power stations, Xiao said.

($1 = 6.8258 yuan)

(Reporting by David Stanway; Editing by Darren Schuettler)