China OKs new economic zones in western inland

YINCHUAN -- China's government has recently approved the establishment of a new economic inland pilot zone in northwestern Ningxia Hui autonomous region and a comprehensive bonded area in its capital, Yinchuan, Vice-Premier Li Keqiang announced on Wednesday.

The pilot zone and bonded area are intended to boost the country's domestic demand and to deepen the opening-up of China's western inland area, Li said in his opening speech at the China (Ningxia) International Investment and Trade Fair and the 3rd China-Arab States Economic and Trade Forum.

"While further opening coastal regions to the east, China will also boost its opening to the west at the same time, and special economic zones, pilot zones and key border ports are being established to serve as vanguard," he said.

Their establishment also demonstrates China's policies of developing the west and opening the west, and will help expand the country's opening-up range to developed countries as well as developing countries, according to Li.

"China continues to expand market scale and improve its industrial system to provide more cooperation opportunities for China and other countries as well as opportunities for the world's development," the vice premier said.

The five-day China (Ningxia) International Investment and Trade Fair and the 3rd China-Arab States Economic and Trade Forum are intended to boost economic and cultural cooperation between China and Arabic countries.