China mulling policies to revitalize northeast

China's top economic planner disclosed on Wednesday policies under consideration to revitalize the northeastern provinces of Liaoning, Jilin and Heilongjiang.

Fan Hengshan, deputy secretary-general of the National Development and Reform Commission, told a press conference that the northeast is in need of a more sustainable growth model.

"Central authorities attach great importance to development in the northeast, and will make efforts to rejuvenate the region," Fan said.

He said the government will support regions accelerating development of modern agriculture, renovating slums, protecting the environment and increasing their competitiveness.

Once China's industrial base, the northeast areas are lagging behind in recent decades as the old resources-dependent mode became unsustainable.