NE's economy don't have serious problem. Yes, its growth is not as quick as other regions, because NE is heavy industry dominated economy. I have two observation of its low developing rate: 1. Shipbuilding industry shrink these years. NE has 4 huge shipbuilding manufacturer, but they lack commercial ship order recently. 2. Oil, steel and power industry lack competitiveness.
NE has three good opportunities to recover.
1. Bullet train fabrication base. They have built up new bullet train factories there.
2. Speed up warships building, especially nuclear subs, cruiser and aircraft carrier.
3. Commercial airplane fabrication base. In decades, all China airline companies will need to purchase thousands of airplanes. When the C919 take certification, start to fulfill order, it is a super huge business in NE.