Inner Mongolia autonomous region has outlined eight priorities to drive the northward opening-up policy, said the region's vice-chairman Yun Guangzhong.

Inner Mongolia borders Mongolia and Russia on the north, and is adjacent to eight provinces and regions in China. This geographical location makes Inner Mongolia a frontier in China's northward opening-up policy and an important part of the country's diplomacy with Russia and Mongolia.

The region's leading group for northward opening-up work designed eight priorities in 2015 to push forward opening-up and cooperation with its neighbors to the north at the meeting.

First, Inner Mongolia will strengthen the construction of cross-border economic cooperation zones and bonded zones, such as the Erenhot (China)-Zamyn Und (Mongolia) economic cooperation zone and Arxan-Songbeir (Mongolia) cross border tourism cooperation zone.

Meanwhile, it will push through approvals for bonded zones in Manzhouli, Hohhot, Ordos and Ulanqab and explore ways to set up a free trade zone between China and Mongolia as well as between Russia.

Inner Mongolia's second major task this year concerns transport network construction, including highways, international airports, charter flights and air transportation to upgrade the region’s cross border transport network.

As the region's third priority in this year, Inner Mongolia will draw up an overall plan as well as supporting policies and measures for its e-port development, with the objective to improve the ports’ modernization and informatization.

Moreover, the eight priorities require the region to strengthen cooperation with Russia and Mongolia in the five sectors, including agricultural and animal husbandry cooperation, financial cooperation, cultural exchange, education communication and exchange, and medical cooperation.