August 23, 2007 -- China's northeastern area of Dongbei is to receive support from the Central Government to position it as the country's fourth economic zone, Sichuan News reported.

The program to revitalize Dongbei was promulgated on Aug 20 with the official authorization from the State Council. This is China's first State Council-authorized regional development program, aimed at making Dongbei an important economic zone with a high-level integrated economy within the next 10 to 15 years. The eastern region of Inner Mongolia is also expected to benefit from the program.

The core of the program is to revitalize Dongbei's traditional industry, while speeding up development in aspects of structural regulation, regional cooperation, economic reform, the construction of an environment-friendly economy, and increased efforts in education, healthcare, and cultural projects.

Cooperation with Russia and far-eastern countries, as well as natural gas supply will play an important role in the program, Sichuan News reported.