The State Council has announced several measures to revitalise the economy in China's ailing Northeast.

The measures include support for state-owned companies in getting listed on the Chinese stock markets. The State Council said it will release detailed plans for reforms of the SOEs in Northeast China by the end of the year.

The State Council said as many as 20 SOEs in Northeast China will be chosen as pilots to test reforms involving mixed-ownership. China's Northeast has seen weakening economic growth for years as its industrial sectors have withered.

The region traditionally relies on heavy industry and investment, but has been slow to catch up with China's economic restructuring.