The Shanxi-centered energy base refers to a huge region including the whole of Shanii Province and Ningxa Autonomus Region, the aiea north of the Qingling Mountains in Sheasi Province, the area west of the Beijing-Kwangtung railway line in Henan Province, the central and western parts of Inner Mongolia Autonomus Region. Shanxi is the most- important part of the region will abundant in energy sources, particularly coal. Hence the name the Shanxi-centered energy base.In this paper four aspects are discussed:1. The strategic significance of resources exploitation of the baseIt is aimed at two goals. The first goal is to adjust on a large scale the spatial lagout of the national energy sources and the enegy-consnming raw material industries. This will promote the optimum combination of resources, products and sale. The second goal is to lay solid foundations for expanding economic development gradually to the further west of the country.2. The superiority of the baseThis base has superiority in the following respects: abundant energy sources and mineral resources, favoralle geographical location, good foundation for developing industries, and its unique position in the movement of the national industries from east to west.3. The procedure of resources exploitationThe first step is to put stress on Shanxi, the western part of Henan and the Guanzhong area of Shensi. The second step is to expand the exploitation gradually to the western part of Inner Mongolia, the northern part of Shensi, and Ningxa. The overall contrivance of the layout of instries is also discussed. 4. The major problems and the countermeasuresIn fulfilling the development project there are three major problems: insufficient trans-port, shortage of water resources, and the possible environment deterioration. To cope with these problems, it is necessary to strengthen the improvement of transport facilities, adjust the structure of industries and the structure of water consumption, carry out ecological agriculture, etc.