Northeast China, home to the country's old industrial bases, is set to get a makeover with the endorsement of a long-awaited plan.

The plan, yet to be officially unveiled, was passed by the State Council last Thursday.

It envisages the region as an equipment manufacturing base, with international competitiveness, a base for new raw material and energy, for commercial grain and agricultural products, and stockbreeding production, according to a posting on the official website of the central government, www.gov.cn.