Officials from provinces of Anhui and Hubei hold a meeting in Wuhan, capital city of Hubei on April 12, discussing economic and social development and seeking further cooperation.

Anhui province will work with its neighbouring Hubei province to promote economic integration in the central China region.

Party chief Zhang Baoshun made the remark at a meeting on economic and social development of the two provinces during his visit to Wuhan, capital city of Hubei, on Thursday.

Over the past few years, Hubei province has made remarkable progress in economic and social development, Zhang said.

Wuhan and its eight neighbours, together known as Wuhan 1+8 City Cluster, strive to carry out the State Council's experimental reform program with the theme of building up an energy saving and environment friendly society. Also, a national innovation demonstration zone is thriving in Donghu district of the city.

"By making the most of this visit, we will earnestly learn from Hubei and further improve our work in a bid to herald a new era of reform and development for Anhui," Zhang said at the meeting.

Li Hongzhong, Party chief of Hubei province, said Anhui and Hubei should cooperate more closely and extensively. He suggested four aspects in which the provinces could work together, namely economic integration of regions along the Yangtze River, poverty elimination in Dabie Mountain areas, construction on transportation infrastructure and development of the tourism sector.

The Yangtze River, China's longest river, cuts through both Hubei and Anhui, while Dabie Mountain is located on the border between them.

Li Bin, governor of Anhui province, said the provinces have gained momentum in exchanges and cooperation, hoping that Anhui and Hubei will enhance and deepen strategic cooperation in areas such as scientific innovation, energy and transportation.

Further, she called on the two provinces to jointly speed up the rise of central China.