China speeds up development of Ningxia pilot zone

China has decided to set up an inter-ministerial meeting mechanism to speed up development of a pilot economic zone in Ningxia, an inland autonomous region in northwest China. The country's top economic planning body, the National Development and Reform Commission, will coordinate the meetings, according to a report on the government website, www.gov.cn, on Friday. China approved the Ningxia Inland Opening-up Pilot Economic Zone in 2012. It is expected to enhance cooperation between China and the Arab world. It is also a prototype for a new pattern for opening of inland areas. The meetings will draw on 39 government bodies, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Science and Technology, and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology among others, as well as the government of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, according to the report. The meetings will coordinate efforts to build the pilot zone, provide assistance to Ningxia in terms of policy implementation and institutional innovation, and strengthen information exchange among government bodies involved.