Regional development stable in H1

China's regional development remained stable in the first half of this year with slight growth in the east, slower progress in the center and a downturn in the west and northeast, according to a notice on the website of the National Development and Reform Commission on Tuesday.

In terms of fixed assets investment, the eastern region experienced growth of 19.7 percent year-on-year, a rate similar to that of the previous year. Growth rates in central, western and eastern China declined by 1.7 percent, 1.1 percent and 6.1 percent.

The eastern area witnessed an increase of 8.1 percent in import and export volume from the same period a year earlier, 2.6 percent higher than last year's growth rate. The central area achieved the largest growth rate of 15.7 percent. Western and northeastern China, however, saw markedly reduced growth rates although their import and export volume increased by 12.2 percent and 5.6 percent.

The NDRC intends to further balance regional development by tapping into distinctive advantages. It will continue to roll out favorable policies to eastern China, which serves as a driving force for the country's economy, including carrying out pilot reform projects in economic zones such as Pudong in Shanghai, Binhai in Tianjin and Qianhai Bay in Shenzhen.

The commission plans to streamline the project approval process and resource allocation in the mid, western and northeastern regions.

The commission also aims to promote regional collaboration among urban circles such as the Yangtze River Delta, Pearl River Delta and Bohai Rim, and encourage hinterland areas to construct joint industrial parks with coastal regions.