In a plan released on December 3, the Chinese Government has identified 262 cities as being dependent on natural resources, in a bid to roll out targeted measures to boost their development.

The plan, which is the first national framework on sustainable development for resource-dependent cities, puts the regions into four categories based on their resource sustainability: growing, mature, declining or regenerative.

Yunnan, Liaoning and Henan are the three provinces with the highest concentration of such cities.

Central authorities will extend fiscal and policy support to facilitate restructuring and upgrading efforts, including accelerating shanty town renovation and boosting employment, according to the plan.