A press conference takes place in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, on March 21 to announce Zhejiang's plans for the development of aviation industry over the next few years. [Photo/Chinanews.com]

East China's Zhejiang province plans on building a country-leading aviation industry by 2025 with an expected output value of 300 billion yuan ($43.55 billion) in its manufacturing sector, according to plans released by the provincial government on March 21.

The plan proposes the scheme "12105" and sets several goals for a comprehensively developing aviation industry during the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-2020). It includes the construction of an industrial park and the development of 10 aviation-focused towns spread around the province.

The island city of Zhoushan, on which Boeing's first overseas B737 manufacturing center is based, will see the construction of an aviation industrial park. The development will create a good number of high-end manufacturing projects, which will further establish the area's reputation as a center of research, development, and manufacturing in the aviation sector.

Aside from developing manufacturing, Hangzhou and Ningbo, Zhejiang province's most developed cities, plan on building national airport economic zones centered around the region's key airports: Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport and Ningbo Lishe International Airport. The zones will cluster aviation-related companies together, improve the functioning and efficiency of airports, and work to upgrade facilities.

According to the new scheme, around ten aviation-focused towns specializing in aircraft manufacturing, airline operating, and related tourism and culture industries will develop across Zhejiang province.

Additionally, Zhejiang province aims to attract aviation projects worth 50 billion yuan during the period of the ongoing 13th Five-Year Plan. Particular focus will be placed on the sectors of manufacturing and services.

Aside from the "12105" strategy, the government also sets numeral goals for 2020 and 2025. For example, the annual production of large aircrafts is expected to reach 100 annually by 2020 and the province will cultivate two to three industry leading companies in the next four years.

He Zhongwei, deputy director of Zhejiang Provincial Development and Reform Commission, said at the press conference that the development of Zhejiang's aviation industry will differ from that of other places.

"The prospects of the industry in Zhejiang are bright although the foundation is not entirely solid. We need to ensure we take advantage of Zhejiang special position in regard to private companies in order to fully develop the aviation industry."