Northeastern region still has revival potential

For almost 15 years the Chinese government has been making efforts to revive the old industrial base in Northeast China. But except for a real estate boom several years ago, the efforts have not reversed the downward economic trend of the northeastern provinces of Heilongjiang, Jilin and Liaoning.

Last year, the northeastern region, which covers an area twice that of Germany and has a population of 126 million, accounted for only about 6 percent of the national GDP, and the three provinces' economic growth rate has been among the lowest in China for three consecutive years.

The data on the region's fertility rate are another major cause for worry - the fertility rate in the region is about half of the national average but its population is aging at almost twice the speed of the rest of the country. The region that led the country's industrial development after the foundation of New China needs a helping hand today.