A regional cooperation plan involving Shanxi, Shaanxi and Henan province is being compiled and is expected to be submitted to the State Council for approval later this year.

The plan, once it is endorsed by the cabinet, will become a national strategy for regional development and a new growth opportunity for the region, according to a meeting on September 2 in Yuncheng, Shanxi province, held to assess the compilation progress.

The Shanxi-Shaanxi-Henan Yellow River Golden Triangle Regional Cooperation Plan involves four cities — Weinan in Shaanxi, Linfen and Yuncheng in Shanxi, and Sanmenxia in Henan. The region covers a land area of 57,800 square kilometers and has a population of more than 17 million. As early as 1986, the cities proposed to establish an economic coordination zone to promote effective cooperation in terms of infrastructure, industrial distribution, agriculture and tourism. In May 2012, the National Development and Reform Commission approved the establishment of the Yellow River golden triangle experimental zone for industrial transfer and relocation.

Officials from the National Development and Reform Commission, including Fan Hengshan, director-general of the department of regional economy, and officials from the four cities were present at the meeting.

Xiao Jincheng, director of the Institute of Spatial Planning & Regional Economy under the commission, briefed the attendees on the progress of the drafting and solicited their suggestions and comments.

Fan said that the plan will be an important move in implementing the Scientific Outlook on Development and promoting coordinated regional development. It will also be an example of the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and the Chinese dream. He urged everyone to work to establish the plan and submit it for approval as scheduled.

Before the meeting, Sanmenxia Party Chief Yang Shuping and Mayor Zhao Haiyan met Fan Hengshan and had in-depth discussions on promoting and strengthening regional cooperation.

Fan said the region should be well prepared to welcome and accommodate industrial enterprises from eastern and coastal regions.

Edited by Michael Thai