The National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) held its 40th briefing session on issues of major concern in Beijing on Oct 13, with a focus on optimizing the layout for regional opening-up.

Mu Hong, vice-chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, attended the session.

Zhou Haibing, a member of the leading Party members group and vice-chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), gave a briefing on related work.

He said the NDRC has coordinated efforts to promote opening-up across eastern, central and western China, as well as coastal, inland and border areas, and focused on developing major corridors, platforms, hubs and strategic highlands.

These efforts have fostered all-round opening-up by building connections with other countries over land and sea while creating synergy between its eastern and western regions, he said.

The NDRC will build on the comparative advantages of different regions, coordinate resources and improve mechanisms for coordinated governance of opening-up, using greater regional coordination to support high-quality development, Zhou said.

An official from the Ministry of Commerce said the ministry has advanced efforts to optimize the layout for regional opening-up with a focus on high-standard opening-up.

The ministry has implemented the strategy for upgrading pilot free trade zones, supported the development of the Hainan Free Trade Port, and coordinated efforts to improve the quality and effectiveness of various opening-up platforms, developing a range of distinctive hubs of opening-up.

The ministry will continue to improve its policy framework for regional opening-up, strengthen the development of distinctive platforms suited to local conditions, and promote complementary strengths and coordinated development among regions in opening-up, the official added.

During the session, CPPCC National Committee members and officials from relevant government departments also exchanged views on issues such as the development of major corridors for opening-up, maritime connectivity, the upgrading of pilot free trade zones, opening-up and development in border areas, the development of selected cities into international consumption centers, and the role of the China International Import Expo as a platform for opening-up.

He Ping, chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the CPPCC National Committee, presided over the session.