From September 3 to September 4, a joint assessment meeting was held by 17 ministries and departments including MOST, National Development and Reform Commission, Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, and Ministry of Environmental Protection. The meeting was aimed at assessing the 16 provincial pilot areas of sustainable development (e.g. Changzhi of Shangxi Province), which are waiting to be approved as National Sustainable Development Pilot Areas.

The candidates, recommended by provincial S&T commissions, have submitted their application materials, went through the assessment of expert panel, and revised the application materials accordingly.