The Yangtze River Delta (YRD) region, a key economic hub in China, is primed for continued growth through intensified cooperation and innovation, according to recent plans unveiled by the YRD Regional Cooperation Office.
With a strategic emphasis on research and development (R&D) and fostering cross-regional collaboration, the YRD region has become a leading economic force. Between 2018 and 2023, the region’s share of China’s GDP grew from 23.9% to 24.4%. Nine cities within the region now boast economies exceeding 1 trillion yuan ($140 billion) annually, accounting for one-third of such urban centers in China.
A major factor driving this growth is the region’s commitment to high-quality economic development, particularly through an increase in R&D investments. R&D intensity in the YRD region rose from 2.81% in 2018 to 3.34% in 2023. This focus on innovation has earned global recognition, with Shanghai-Suzhou and Nanjing ranking fifth and ninth, respectively, in the 2024 Global Innovation Index for top science and technology urban clusters.
Gu Jun, director of the YRD Regional Cooperation Office, highlighted the success of the third round of the Three-Year Action Plan for Integrated Development of the YRD, a strategic initiative guiding the region’s progress from 2024 to 2026. Collaborative efforts, including joint research programs between national science centers in Shanghai and Anhui’s Hefei, have also played a key role. These partnerships have fostered the creation of 12 innovation alliances and 41 demand-driven research tasks.
Looking ahead, Zhang Zhongwei, executive deputy director of the YRD Regional Cooperation Office, emphasized the need for a dual strategy combining governmental initiatives and market forces to drive regional integration. “To propel integrated development in the Yangtze River Delta, we must establish robust institutional frameworks within our operational mechanisms,” Zhang said, underscoring the importance of mutual empowerment between government and market forces in the region’s growth.