The State Council has approved setting up a sustainable development innovation zone in the city of Xuzhou, East China’s Jiangsu province, according to a circular released on July 15.

The high-quality development of Xuzhou as a key city in a resource-intensive area should be driven by innovation in accordance with the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and China's national plan of implementation.

Integrated application of technologies such as ecological restoration and intelligent transformation of facilities and equipment in coal mining subsidence areas is required to restore the ecology, pursue green development and industry transformation, enhance competitiveness, ensure employment, and encourage more scientific and technological innovation.

As required in the circular, the development zone should become an exemplar for the Huaihai Economic Zone and other similar regions in industry transformation and upgrading, transition to new economic engines, and ecological restoration and governance, and provide practical experience for implementation of the 2030 agenda.

The government of Jiangsu province should establish and improve related coordination mechanisms.

The Ministry of Science and Technology, together with member units of the inter-ministerial joint conference for the pilot zones, should support Xuzhou in arranging major projects, launching pilot policies, and innovating in systems and mechanisms.