Four major cities in Northeast China announced in a joint statement that they will work together to build a world-class city cluster in a bid to boost the region's economy.

Harbin of Heilongjiang province, Shenyang and Dalian of Liaoning province and Changchun of Jilin province will consolidate their leading roles in Northeast China and build a large urban cluster of major cities in the region, according to the statement.

The cities aim to break a new path in revitalizing the old northeastern industrial bases and collaborate in accelerating regional economic integration.

According to the plans, they will carry out structural reforms and foster emerging industries and new engines for economic growth, enhance cooperation and exchange, and further promote opening up and innovation as well as coordinated development of industries.

They will also create innovative cooperation models, build an interconnected urban system, and improve the annual mayors meeting mechanism, as well as communication and coordination mechanisms, for revitalizing old industrial bases.

Moreover, efforts will be made to facilitate cross-region industrial and technological innovation alliances and applications of research findings. Regional public services and market integration are also on the agenda.

The four cities will deepen cooperation in major fields, including infrastructure interconnectivity and the establishment and sharing of public services, especially collaboration in finance, tourism, conventions, exhibitions, and customs, in order to boost the attractiveness of the region.

The northeastern cities will also take notes from the Yangtze River Delta and Pearl River Delta regions as well as Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei, which are pushing ahead with plans of regional coordinated development.