LANZHOU, Jan. 29 -- A senior official in northwest China's Gansu Province confirmed the province has applied to set up a free trade zone (FTZ) in its capital Lanzhou.

On Thursday, Yang Zhiwu, head of Gansu's commercial department, said their application is now being handled by the Ministry of Commerce.

If approved, it will include Lanzhou, from the impoverished northwestern part of China, in the third batch of Chinese cities to try out an FTZ.

China currently operates its only FTZ in Shanghai, launched in 2013.

In December, the State Council announced China will establish three new FTZs in northern Tianjin Municipality, eastern Fujian Province and southern Guangdong Province, all along the country's coastal lines.