Jilin province in northeast China announced the inauguration of an innovative pilot zone involving the two cities of Changchun and Jilin, on Thursday, Feb 26, where it expects to increase reforms and improve its economy, with the emphasis on expertise and balanced development as a good example of Jilin’s opening-up.

At the ceremony，Sun Yaming, Changchun’s deputy mayor, explained, "We’ve consulted urban planners from China and abroad to ensure the highest of standards. And we’ve kept environmental protection in mind, since we believe it should go hand in hand with social-economic development."

The pilot zone got provincial government approval at a meeting of the standing committee, on Jan 30, and approval for its mangagment team, added Liu Fei, the provincial deputy secretary, just before the opening ceremony.

Sun Yaming, deputy major of Changchun (left), Zhang Huanqiu, major of Jilin city (2nd left), Gao Guangbin, Changchun Party secretary (2nd right), and Jiang Zhiying, displaying the nameplate, in Changchun, on Feb 26.

The pilot zone, which covers 3,710 square kilometers, is expected to produce a super-city complex by connecting the two cities, Changchun with Jilin, centered on manufacturing, agriculture and the service sector, by 2020.

The giant plan actually contains two pilot zones — one in northeast Changchun focused on logistics and air transport and the other in Jilin, highlighting agriculture and food processing.