The city of Baotou in North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region was recently selected as a national new-type urbanization pilot city, along with 58 other cities (towns) in the country. The appointments were decided by a joint appraisal by the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), State Commission Office of Public Sectors Reform (SCOPSR) and nine other departments.

As a national urbanization pilot city, Baotou will attach importance to several major tasks. These include relocating farmers and herdsmen to urban residential areas, establishing a diversified and sustainable investing and financing system, and developing plans for urban-rural integration.

In accordance with a plan approved by the NDRC, Baotou will initiate the urbanization pilot project by the end of 2015. The urbanization rate of permanent residence will reach about 85 percent in 2020.