BEIJING - The State Council, China's cabinet, has given the go-ahead to Fuzhou New Area in East China's Fujian Province to boost cross-Strait exchanges, a central government statement said on Wednesday.

The new administrative area will test reform measures and favorable trade and tax policies for the modern service sector and manufacturing industry.

The area will cover about 800 square kilometers, involving Mawei District, Cangshan District, Changle City and parts of Fuqing City. They are quite important in cross-Strait exchanges, the statement said.

The new area is also expected to boost opening-up, especially cooperations with countries and regions along the maritime silk road, it said.