A new city cluster planning program has been launched in China's northwestern region, as part of the country's ongoing regional development strategy.

The planned program will cover Hohhot and Baotou in the Inner Mongolia autonomous, Yinchuan in Ningxia Hui autonomous region, and Yulin in Shaanxi province.

The plan was first approved by the State Council last November, allowing the start of some key projects which will run until 2020.

The region is being positioned as a model of economic transformation, particularly as an energy hub.