The Shenyang experimental economic zone plan has been approved by the State Council, making the Shenyang economic zone the eighth experimental reform region in China, the governor of Liaoning province announced on Tuesday.

The theme of the zone's reform plan is "new industrialization", emphasizing information technology in the region's industrial upgrading.

The Shenyang economic zone covers an area of 75,000 square km and includes seven other cities, namely Anshan, Fushun, Benxi, Yingkou, Fuxin, Liaoyang and Tieling, besides Shenyang.

The intention of creating the zones is to encourage innovation that could later be applied to other regions, said Zhang Xiaopu, deputy director of the provincial development and reform commission.