China approved a new financial reform pilot zone to push for co-operation with ASEAN nations, reports Hu Yongqi from Kunming

Afinancial reform pilot zone will be established in Southwest China in a move designed to strengthen ties with South and Southeast Asian countries, it was disclosed on Tuesday following the announcement of financial measures at the Third Plenary Session of the 18th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China earlier this month.

The Yunnan-Guangxi border pilot zone for comprehensive financial reforms was approved by the People's Bank of China, the central bank, last Thursday. It will include nine cities and prefectures in Yunnan province and six cities in the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, covering an area of 317,700 square kilometers with a population of 44 million.