The YRD, which encompasses the eastern Chinese provinces of Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Anhui, as well as the Shanghai Municipality, is one of the country's most dynamic regions in terms of economic development, level of openness, and innovation capabilities. [Photo/cnnb.com.cn] 

Ningbo unveiled an action plan to promote the integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta on March 23. 

The YRD, which encompasses the eastern Chinese provinces of Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Anhui, as well as the Shanghai Municipality, is one of the country's most dynamic regions in terms of economic development, level of openness, and innovation capabilities. Last year, the integrated development of the region was adopted as a national strategy. 

Ningbo, a coastal city in the southern YRD, has been an active participant in the national strategy. 

The action plan the city just released includes six major parts:

First, it will focus on the construction of the greater bay area and promote the coordinated development of industry, science, and innovation in the YRD. 

It plans to build a strategic platform for regional cooperation and coordinate resources to develop world-class manufacturing clusters and spur the development of the service sector and the digital economy.

Second, it will boost the coordinated development of a number of major infrastructure projects so as to improve interconnectivity in the YRD in terms of transportation, energy, and information networks. 

It will ramp up construction of high speed railways in the region in an attempt to reduce travel time to Shanghai to just one hour. 

Third, more efforts will be made to promote the sharing of public services in the YRD.

Ningbo will enhance cooperation and the sharing of social resources such as education, medical care, human resources, social security, and elderly care in the region. 

It plans to introduce 10 innovation and research institutes or branches of universities in cities such as Shanghai and Hangzhou and build 10 high-profile innovation platforms. 

Fourth, it will promote environmental conservation in a coordinated manner. 

The city will coordinate with other cities in the YRD to reduce pollution and protect the environment.

It will also promote the integrated development of culture, sports and tourism in the region and facilitate the implementation of a 144-hour transit visa exemption policy.

Fifth, it will further open up with a focus on the Belt and Road Initiative.

Ningbo will apply to be a part of the China (Zhejiang) Free Trade Zone, strengthen ties with BRI countries and central and eastern European countries and construct a number of national industrial parks.

Sixth, the city will further promote administrative reforms and create a business climate that follows the unified standards of the YRD. 

More efforts shall be made to speed up the building of a unified YRD market with consistent rules and standards in order to create a world-class business environment throughout the region.