BEIJING — China will establish pilot zones for comprehensive reform of basic education in 12 provincial-level regions, the Ministry of Education said on Oct 18.

The building of the pilot zones in the designated regions, including Shanghai, Guangdong, Sichuan, Hebei and Fujian, will be focused on advancing high-quality development of education, which entails major tasks such as easing the academic burden on students undergoing compulsory education, said the ministry.