A more vigorous and integrated Yangtze River Delta expected

Editor's note: Xin Ge, a special commentator on current affairs for CGTN, is an associate professor at the School of Public Economics and Administration, Shanghai University of Finance and Economics. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

This year marks the fifth anniversary of the integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) as a national strategy. In November 2018, at the first China International Import Expo, President Xi Jinping, also the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, announced support for this region and its elevation to a national strategy.

Covering Shanghai Municipality, Jiangsu Province, Zhejiang Province, and Anhui Province within 4 percent of China's land area, the Yangtze River Delta stands out with an active economy, high openness, and robust innovation. By 2022, its total economic output is projected to reach 29 trillion yuan ($2 trillion), nearly one-fourth of the national GDP, presenting an increase of about 10 trillion yuan since 2017.

On November 30, 2023, President Xi addressed the importance of further advancing the integrated development of the YRD during a symposium. As President Xi highlighted, from the formal approval and implementation of the YRD regional plan to the elevation of integrated development to a national strategy, and further accelerating towards high-quality integration, it is crucial for the YRD to focus on two pivotal aspects of "integration" and "high quality" in order to sustain the progress of its integrated development.

Firstly, enhancing cross-regional collaboration in technological and industrial innovation is vital for the YRD. Sectors like integrated circuits, biomedicine, new energy vehicles, and artificial intelligence have shown progressive growth in scale, mature production processes, and robust endogenous innovation dynamics.

In May 2021, the industrial and information departments of the region signed a cooperation agreement on industrial chain supplementation, consolidation, and reinforcement. Emphasizing the development of industry chain alliances as one of eight joint actions, this agreement aims to transition from "integration" to "higher-quality" development. Collaborative efforts among provinces and cities can include promoting technological self-reliance, conducting joint research, establishing innovative platforms, fostering open cooperation, and sharing technological resources.

This will cultivate an efficient ecosystem that promotes barrier-free innovation and a culture of shared progress. Additionally, the region should actively participate in international technological cooperation to foster a globally competitive innovation environment with an open mindset.

Apart from that, accelerating the improvement of institutional mechanisms is crucial for integrated development. Breaking down regional divisions and administrative barriers can provide a solid framework for regional growth. In May 2019, over 150 government services in the YRD region can be accessible across provincial boundaries.

The Yangtze River Delta region has gradually emerged as a leader in terms of the length and density of high-speed railways and highways among all urban clusters in China, showcasing significant progress in enhancing connectivity and transportation infrastructure within the region.

According to the "Multi-level Rail Transit Plan for the Yangtze River Delta Region," by 2025, the "Yangtze River Delta on the Railway" will be essentially completed, with a total rail transit mileage of over 22,000 kilometers. Rail services will cover urban areas where over 80 percent of the population resides in towns with a population of over 50,000.

Besides, it is essential to actively promote high-level collaborative openness. The YRD should enhance the exchange of reform experiences, striving to become a strong engine that facilitates the smooth operation of China's economic circulation. It should also serve as a strategic hub connecting domestic and international dual circulation, facilitating the outward expansion of the region's advantageous production capacity, high-quality equipment, and applicable technologies and standards.

Furthermore, the YRD region should enhance collaborative governance for ecological and environmental protection. As one of the regions with the highest contribution to China's economy, it faces challenges such as resource scarcity, high energy consumption, and excessive pollutant emissions.

Water environment management is a key aspect of development. To bring more "green" benefits to the region, the State Council has approved a national territorial-space plan from 2021 to 2035 for the eco-green integrated development demonstration zone in the Yangtze River Delta.

Moreover, the YRD region should focus on enhancing its capacity for secure development. Leveraging its well-established and complementary industrial system, industry chains and supply chains need to be strengthened in critical areas related to the national economy and people's livelihoods. For YRD ,it is also important to foster industrial cooperation with the central and western regions, aiming to improve the resilience and security level of the industrial chain and supply chain.

Sixthly, the integration of culture and tourism serves as a catalyst for resource sharing. In recent years, the YRD region has emerged as a key tourist destination in China. A significant event took place in November 2022 when the Yangtze River Delta Cultural and Tourism Integration Cooperation and Development Summit convened.

During the launching ceremony, the "Yangtze River Delta Culture and Tourism Integrated Cooperation and Development Yangzhou Declaration" was proclaimed. Subsequently, the cultural and tourism departments of the three provinces and one city committed to fostering profound cooperation, aiming to bolster regional collaboration, collectively promote high-quality cultural and tourism assets within the region, and establish cross-regional brands.

By prioritizing integrated development within the broader national developmental landscape, the three provinces and one city in the YRD region can effectively leverage their respective strengths, accentuate their unique attributes, deepen cooperation efforts, mutually empower one another, and transform their individual advantages into regional benefits. This concerted endeavor is bound to enhance the overall efficiency of regional development.

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