Zhejiang releases plan for promoting integration of Yangtze River Delta

The government of Zhejiang province recently announced a plan to promote the integration of the Yangtze River Delta region.

According to the plan, Zhejiang will cooperate with Shanghai, Jiangsu and Anhui provinces in promoting innovation, infrastructure interconnectivity, urban construction, opening-up, the digital economy, boosting the private sector, improving public services, protecting the environment and strengthening administrative streamlining and reform.

Specifically, Zhejiang aims to fully leverage its advantage in the digital economy to see that two to three national labs and more than 70 interprovincial innovation cooperation platforms are built by 2025, and that there are 30 patents held for every 10,000 people.

It aims to realize 75 percent urbanization by 2025 and upgrade 1,500 kilometers of railway and 1,100 kilometers of expressway.

By 2025, the province also aims to see public financial expenditure per capita reach 25,000 yuan ($3,600); the gross enrollment rate of higher education surpass 70 percent, average life expectancy reach 79 years old; and that 90 percent of local residents' medical bills can be directly settled with their social insurance card in another province in the region.