The State Council has approved a plan for a city cluster in Northwest China, centered on Lanzhou and Xining, capital cities of Gansu and Qinghai provinces, respectively.

According to a document released on March 1, the State Council asks the city cluster to optimize the layout, strengthen ecological construction and environmental protection, and improve infrastructure and public services.

The cluster was urged to promote industrial upgrading and get involved in the Belt and Road Initiative.

The document states that the Lanzhou-Xining city cluster should be able to support national and ecological security and promote prosperity and stability in Northwest China.

The State Council asked its related departments to take specific measures to support the city cluster.

Major issues, policies and projects involved in the implementation of the plan should be reported and approved, the document said.