Li offers vision of revival for Northeast

Former industrial pioneer is now facing multiple challenges as growth falters

Premier Li Keqiang made proposals on Thursday to remove barriers to the development of the pioneer of the nation's industrialization in the 1950s to the 1970s, a broad area of Northeast China that covers Liaoning, Jilin and Heilongjiang provinces and an eastern section of Inner Mongolia autonomous region.

Part of Li's plan involves the further opening of the region to neighboring countries.