The State Council approved a national territorial spatial plan to be implemented in Inner Mongolia autonomous region, according to an official reply released on Dec 21.

According to the circular, by 2035, the total area of cultivated land in Inner Mongolia will be no less than 170.5 million mu, and the red line for ecological protection should not be less than 596,900 square kilometers.

Inner Mongolia is asked to be deeply integrated into the joint construction of the Belt and Road and the China-Mongolia-Russia Economic Corridor, the circular said.

Meanwhile, efforts should be stepped up for upgrading the construction of important footholds for China’s opening up to the north, with measures such as accelerating the construction of the eastern and central channels with Manzhouli Port and Erenhot Port as nodes opening up to the north, and strengthening the interconnected development of ports and hinterlands of Inner Mongolia.

Inner Mongolia also should leverage its advantages in agricultural and animal husbandry resources and intensify protection of black soil, said the circular, adding that eligible localities should be supported to conduct comprehensive utilization of saline-alkali land, boost production capacity in agricultural and pastoral areas, and build important national production bases of agricultural and livestock products.

Measures should be taken, including strengthening the ecological construction of the Greater Khingan Mountains, Yinshan Mountains, and Helan Mountains, and basic grassland protection, implementing comprehensive desertification control, and coordinate promoting major projects such as the Three-North Shelterbelt Forest Program, according to the circular.

The circular also stressed strengthening the driving role of Hohhot in regional development, promoting the integrated and coordinated development of Hohhot, Baotou and Ordos, and accelerating the construction of important border port cities and towns.

In addition, comprehensive development and utilization of traditional energy and new energy should be strengthened, and the overall protection and systematic utilization of cultural and natural heritages should be intensified, the circular said.