The State Council General Office on Nov 6 issued a notice to approve the general urban planning for Yangzhou, Jiangsu province.

According to the notice, by 2020, permanent population in the city center should be kept within 2.1 million, and the construction area in the city be kept within 2.3 million square kilometers.

The protection of cultural and historic features should be stressed. The notice asked to coordinate development and protection and avoid large-scale demolitions and construction. It also said that a specific protection plan for places with a long history and cultural relics should be formed to protect related areas and their surrounding environment. The ancient canal and water system should be taken into consideration when making development plans for the city.

The notice also said Yangzhou would be built into a resource-saving and environmentally friendly city.