The State Council has approved a national territorial spatial plan for Lanzhou, the capital city of Northwest China's Gansu province, for the 2021-2035 period, according to an official reply issued on Dec 5.

As a national comprehensive transportation hub, Lanzhou holds significant importance as a major city in West China.

As per the reply, by 2035, the total area of cultivated land in Lanzhou should be no less than 3.8137 million mu, of which the protection area for permanent basic farmland should be at least 2.9733 million mu, and the red line area for ecological protection should not be less than 1,226.85 square kilometers.

Ecological conservation and high-quality development of the Yellow River basin, deepening Lanzhou’s integration in the joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative, high-level joint construction of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor and further coordination and collaboration between Lanzhou and Xining city and cities along the Hexi Corridor were stressed in the reply.

While accelerating the construction of an urban system with regional coordination and integrated urban and rural areas, efforts should also be made to boost the development of Lanzhou New Area and its coordination with central urban areas in terms of functions.

Protecting the water health of the Yellow River should consolidate ecological barriers and improve afforestation on a scientific basis with comprehensive control of water soil erosion, the reply said.

It also asked to give priority to guaranteeing space for the development of advanced manufacturing, scientific and technological innovation, and cultural and tourism industries. In addition, disaster monitoring and prevention for collapsible loess areas should be enhanced.

The protection of the Yellow River cultural heritage and Red cultural heritage should also be strengthened, the reply added.