The State Council approved three high-tech industrial development zones in Xinjiang to jointly establish a national independent innovation demonstration zone, according to a circular issued on Nov 28.

The new innovation demonstration zone is combined by high-tech zones in Urumqi city, Changji Hui autonomous prefecture, and Shihezi city and should be built within regions that have been approved by related departments under the State Council, the document said.

The central government urged Urumqi, Changji and Shihezi to exert their geographical advantages and wield their strengths in various industries to foster a favorable environment for innovation and entrepreneurship.

The new innovation demonstration zone will enjoy the State’s support policies for national independent innovation demonstration zones, according to the circular.

It is also mandated to actively carry out sci-tech system reform and mechanism innovation, and play a demonstration role in cultivating special industrial clusters, building major sci-tech innovation platforms and exploring innovative cooperation with central and western Asian nations.

The new zone’s work advancement will be guided by the inter-ministerial coordination team on national independent innovation demonstration zones.

Xinjiang’s regional government and Xinjiang production and construction groups are also urged to enhance leadership over the construction work of the innovation demonstration zone.