The State Council has issued a circular approving the urban development plan for Jixi city of Heilongjiang province from 2011 to 2020.

Jixi city is one of China’s important energy bases and central cities in the southeastern area of Heilongjiang province.

According to the circular, by 2020, the city’s downtown population will be capped within 821,000, and its land for city construction will be constrained at 91.04 square kilometers. Also, no new development zones or districts would be allowed to be established beyond the areas for construction.

The circular stressed green development, calling for improvement of a public transportation-based traffic system, parking system, utility corridors, and a comprehensive disaster prevention system.

The city should take measures to save energy and improve environment, including stepping up nonhazardous waste disposal and protection of natural reserves including Khanka Lake, or Xingkai Lake.

An overall planning program of developing public service facilities concerning education, medical care and municipal administration should be on the agenda, according to the circular.

Besides, the city should put a high value on its historical and cultural heritage preservation, especially the site of the Hutou Fortress and the site of ancient tombs at Daobei Mountain, according to the circular.