CHENGDU, Feb. 21 (NBD) -- Innovation will be a top priority of Central China and a national advanced manufacturing center will be built there this year, according to a document released by the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) on the rise of Central China.

Efforts will be made to speed up the construction of the Wuhan East Lake, Changsha-Zhuzhou-Xiangtan, Hefei-Wuhu-Bengbu, and Zhengzhou-Luoyang-Xinxiang national independent innovation demonstration zones, in an attempt to drive the region's economic development. 

Pilot free trade zones will be set up in Henan and Hubei to boost the development of the processing trade industry. 

Moreover, construction of a batch of key projects will commence this year. Among them include the Ganzhou-Shenzhen express rail project and waterway management of Jingjiang reach of Yangtze River.

Email: lansuying@nbd.com.cn