The National Reform and Development Commission has approved the plan for the Chengdu-Chongqing economic zone, the China Business News reported Friday, citing an official with the Sichuan Reform and Development Commission.

The plan has been submitted to the State Council, China's cabinet, and will come out soon, the report said.

According to a draft plan, the zone will include 15 county-level cities in Southwest China's Sichuan Province and 31 districts and counties in Chongqing Municipality.

The economic zone, covering 206,000 square kilometers, is aimed at becoming an economic engine for China's western region, and a base for advanced manufacturing, modern service, advanced technology and agriculture products. The zone is also aimed at becoming an experimental zone for urban-rural integration and an inland opening zone and a national eco-protection zone.

(chinadaily.com.cn December 17, 2010)