China will promote cooperation between east and northeast provinces and urge the Northeast to learn from East China’s achievements, according to a circular issued by the State Council on March 17.

Authorities and State-owned enterprises in the Northeast region are asked to remake themselves by learning from the eastern region, in order to build a business-friendly environment.

And leading capital in East China will be encouraged to take part in SEO reform and invest in high-quality projects in northeast provinces through public-private partnerships (PPP).

East and northeast regions should jointly construct infrastructure — port, railway and highway — along the China-Mongolia-Russia economic corridor, and expand the northeast Asia market.

Companies in both regions are also encouraged to take part in commercial expos held in the other, the circular said.

Pragmatic cooperation will be promoted in equipment manufacturing, agriculture, finance, culture, tourism, healthcare, and emerging industries, such as robotics, smart equipment and new materials.

Colleges and academic institutions in the two regions will be encouraged to expand exchanges and cooperation, including joint talent training and regular mutual visits.

The circular states that both regions should share resources on innovation and entrepreneurship, and the eastern region, in particular, should share its success stories in this regard. Talent in East China will also be encouraged to move and work in northeast companies.

According to the circular, partnerships will be formed between Liaoning and Jiangsu, Jilin and Zhejiang, Heilongjiang and Guangdong province.

Ties of cooperation will also be set up between cities such as Shenyang and Beijing, Dalian and Shanghai, Changchun and Tianjin, and Harbin and Shenzhen.