Ningbo and Zhoushan recently released plans for further integrated development this year. 

Zhoushan is an island city located 86.1 kilometers from Ningbo. It currently takes around 90 minutes by car to travel between the two cities. According to an action plan released in August of last year, the integrated development of the two cities is expected to make substantial progress by 2025. 

According to the newly released document, the two cities will strive to promote the integration of the Ningbo Zhoushan port, particularly in terms of port construction, port traffic, port supervision, and shipping services.

The two cities also plan to increase the interconnectivity of infrastructure, resources, and public services.

Efforts will be made to promote the sharing of scientific and technological resources. By the end of this year, the two aim to carry out two such regional cooperation projects.

Meanwhile,the two cities plan to begin construction on the Ningbo-Zhoushan Railway by the end of this year. 

Integrated development will be boosted in terms of talent, public services, and the free flow of market elements as well. The two cities will strengthen cooperation in education by setting up five to eight courses and training 100 teachers.

Residents from the two cities will be entitled to more integrated public services, including education, healthcare, and government services. The direct settlement for trans-city medical expenses will be enabled in 117 designated medical institutions in Ningbo and 60 in Zhoushan as of the end of this year.