China to integrate pan-Pearl River Delta development

BEIJING - The State Council, China's Cabinet, on Tuesday released a guideline on the integrated development of the Pearl River Delta, which produces more than one-third of national GDP.

Major infrastructure will be integrated and market conditions unified across the region.

The region covers nine provinces and autonomous regions, a significant part of the mainland's manufacturing heartland, as well as Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions.

The country will ease restriction and cut red tape on investment between the mainland and the two special administrative regions.

It also planned to support regional cooperation in sectors like education, tourism, health care and environmental protection.