Chinese Vice-Premier Zeng Peiyan said on Monday that land use planning should follow a scientific approach, promote efficient use of resources and optimize environment protection to ensure sustainable economic development.

Zeng made the remarks at a meeting held by the State Council to arrange the establishment of development zones

Zeng said the arrangement aimed at minimizing the use of resources and damage to the environment in the process of maximizing economic development.

Promoting the establishment of development zones played an important role in speeding up the reform of the economic development mode, he said.

China should insist on all-round development considering both the economic performance and social benefits, he said.

Zeng instructed authorities to objectively analyze land use and comprehensively evaluate resources, population, environmental and economic conditions and plan land use appropriately.

(Xinhua News Agency September 25, 2007)