China's State Council on Wednesday approved a development plan for a border ethnic autonomous region amid the country's efforts to foster a new "growth pole" by strengthening economic cooperation with its neighbors in southeast Asia.

The State Council decided to expand the fields of cooperation between Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and build a platform in Guangxi for regional economic cooperation, said a statement issued after an executive meeting of the State Council.

The development of Guangxi will serve the intensified interaction between the country's east, central and western regions and consolidate ethnic unity and stability in border areas, according to the meeting, which was chaired by Premier Wen Jiabao.

Guangxi will be built into a modern regional base of commodities, trade and logistics, an advanced manufacturing base, agricultural base and an information exchange center, according to the document.

The State Council also decided to build international sea routes connecting Guangxi's ports with more regions and encourage the development of modern industries in the coastal areas.

(Xinhua News Agency October 29, 2009)