The State Council on March 7 approved upgrading a high-tech development zone to the national level in Rongchang district, Southwest China’s Chongqing municipality.

The upgraded high-tech zone covers an area of 17.05 square kilometers, comprised of five blocks, according to a document issued by the State Council.

The development zone should promote technological innovation and entrepreneurship, create a favorable business environment and cultivate new industries and business models.

The zone is expected to become a powerful engine for driving regional economic restructuring and transformation, and a frontier of high technology in the world, said the document.

The document also urged the local government to strictly implement the overall plan for land use and urban development, and supply land in accordance with the law. The land should be used mainly for industry, not for real estate development.