The Chinese government has unveiled plans to encourage low-end industries to relocate from coastal areas to inland provinces, reported Xinhua. The move is designed to accelerate the pace of industrialisation and urbanisation in those underdeveloped regions, and also help coastal areas ascend the production value chain, according to the State Council on its website.

Industrial relocations would enable companies to take advantage of the natural resources and cheaper labour costs that exist in central and western regions, said the report.

Local governments in the interior are advised to reduce administrative intervention when deciding which projects could be relocated there and, at the same time, avoid duplicating construction.

They were also asked to improve investment conditions and infrastructure, enhance self-innovation capacities and try harder to protect the environment, the statement said.