The 2024 Yangtze River Delta Major Leaders Symposium is being held today in Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province. Leaders of the city of Shanghai and three nearby provinces are expected to discuss further integration of the area in Wenzhou. Chen Tong takes a closer look.
CHEN TONG Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province "I'm here in the city of Wenzhou. This is the southernmost city in the Yangtze River Delta region. This year's annual major leaders' symposium is being held here – for deeper discussions on further integrating the area."
It has been six years since the integration of the Yangtze River Delta region was made a part of a national-level strategy. The plan aims to break cross-provincial difficulties and pull up the economy in Shanghai and its nearby three provinces as a whole.
CHEN TONG Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province "Integration in all aspects, including city governance, transportation, social security, have all witnessed improvements over the past years. So far, 173 public services can be conducted cross-provincially."
The area of the Yangtze River Delta only accounts for four percent of China's land. But its economy is playing a significant role. In 2023, GDP of the region reached over 30 trillion yuan, or over 4.14 trillion US dollars – accounting for over 24 percent of the national total.
CHEN TONG Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province "All these have made better cooperation in the region very important. During the two-day symposium, local officials and entrepreneurs are expected to communicate seamlessly on further integrating the area. Chen Tong, CGTN, Wenzhou, Zhejiang province."
