BEIJING - China will transform its coastal regions from the world's manufacturing base to a hub for research and development, advanced manufacturing and servicing, says a document available to the media Saturday before the opening of the parliament's annual session.

This was among government's strategy to advance the development of the export-oriented economy in the region, reads the draft of the country's 12th Five-Year Plan (2011-2015).

The draft will be delivered to the National People's Congress (NPC), the country's top legislature, which convenes its annual session Saturday. Lawmakers will review it during the ten-day session.