Ever wondered how a region that's just 4% of the Chinese mainland is fueling nearly 25% of its economic engine? 🤔 Say hello to the Yangtze River Delta (YRD), home to Shanghai and three provinces: Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Anhui.
As a national strategy announced by President Xi Jinping in November 2018 at the first China International Import Expo in Shanghai, the YRD's integration aims to build a modern economic system with top-tier reforms and open-up policies. Fast-forward to 2024, and the YRD is flexing its muscles: around 17% of the mainland's population and a whopping $4.65 trillion GDP, ranking second globally among metro clusters (just behind the Boston-Washington corridor! 🌎).
Why the Delta?
In August 2020, Xi led a symposium in Hefei to hash out steps for deeper coordination. The goal? Tackle complex challenges with clear, united action. For example, producing a single new energy vehicle now takes chips and software from Shanghai, batteries from Changzhou, and die-casting from Ningbo—all within a comfy four-hour drive. 🚗⚡ That's what we call a 21st-century supply chain!
Trade is booming too: YRD's imports and exports hit a record, making up 36.5% of all mainland trade in 2024. Proof that teamwork really does make the dream work! 💪
Innovation as the engine
Quality growth is all about fresh ideas. In late 2023, Xi stressed sci-tech and industrial R&D across the region. Enter the YRD science and technology innovation community office – launched by Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Anhui. The May action plan covers everything from 6G wireless tech (think millisecond-level intelligence 📡) to a joint fund and 29 collaborative research projects.
Numbers don't lie: the YRD hosts 26 national advanced manufacturing clusters (32.5% of the mainland's total) spanning large aircraft, biomedicine, new materials, and high-end equipment. R&D intensity has climbed from 2.81% in 2018 to 3.34% in 2023. Plus, Shanghai-Suzhou and Nanjing landed spots in the Global Innovation Index's top 10 clusters for 2024! 🔝
For young pros and tech fans across South and Southeast Asia, the YRD shows how smart policies and regional teamwork can spark real change. So next time you're streaming a favorite K-drama or recharging your EV, remember how connected innovation powerhouses like the Yangtze River Delta make it all possible. 🚀
Reference(s):
Why China is advancing integrated development of Yangtze River Delta
cgtn.com
