At
the media briefing of the Yangtze River Delta Ecological and Green Integrated
Development Demonstration Zone held on the morning of today (January 16), Gu
Jun, deputy secretary-general of the Shanghai Municipal Government, director of
the Shanghai Municipal Development and Reform Commission, and director of the
Executive Committee of the Yangtze River Delta Integration Demonstration Zone,
introduced the details of the Three-Year Action Plan for Major Construction
Projects of the Yangtze River Delta Ecological and Green Integrated Development
Demonstration Zone (2024-2026). Zhang Zhongwei, deputy director of the Shanghai
Municipal Development and Reform Commission and deputy director of the
Executive Committee of the Yangtze River Delta Integration Demonstration Zone,
Ling Ming, deputy director of the Jiangsu Provincial Development and Reform
Commission and deputy director of the Executive Committee of the Yangtze River
Delta Integration Demonstration Zone, Chen Haitao, deputy director of the
Zhejiang Provincial Development and Reform Commission and deputy director of
the Executive Committee of the Yangtze River Delta Integration Demonstration
Zone, Yang Xiaojing, chief of Qingpu District, Shanghai, Wang Guorong, chief of
Wujiang District, Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province, and Zhang Xifeng, chief of
Jiashan County, Zhejiang Province, attended the briefing and answered questions
from reporters.

On
January 2, 2024, the Executive Committee of the Yangtze River Delta Integration
Demonstration Zone, in collaboration with the development and reform commissions
of Shanghai, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang, and in conjunction with the governments of
Suzhou and Jiaxing, collectively announced the issuance of the Three-Year
Action Plan for Major Construction Projects of the Yangtze River Delta
Ecological and Green Integrated Development Demonstration Zone (2024-2026).
Serving as the foremost document for the demonstration zone in 2024, this plan
delineates the roadmap, tasks, and timetable for the major construction projects
in the demonstration zone over the next three years. Its release signifies a
substantial stride in advancing the construction of the demonstration zone,
embodying a tangible commitment to fostering cross-regional coordination and
establishing organic connections among planning, land utilization, and project
construction.

I.       Primary considerations for formulating the Three-Year
Action Plan

Major projects play a pivotal role in fostering
integrated and high-quality development within the demonstration zone. In 2021,
the Executive Committee, in collaboration with the development and reform commissions
of Shanghai, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang, along with Suzhou and Jiaxing, collectively
issued the Three-Year Action Plan for Major Construction Projects of the
Yangtze River Delta Ecological and Green Integrated Development Demonstration
Zone (2021-2023). This initiative established a collaborative promotion
mechanism for key projects within the demonstration zone, resulting in the advancement
of 115 major projects together with Qingpu, Wujiang and Jiashan governments. These
endeavors provided robust support for the high-quality development of the
demonstration zone. In June 2023, the Executive Committee, in coordination with
eight parties at three levels in Shanghai, Jiangsu and Zhejiang, initiated the evaluation
of the implementation of the first Three-Year Action Plan. Simultaneously,
preparations commenced for the formulation of the second Three-Year Action Plan.
After in-depth research and coordination, the draft of the new Three-Year
Action Plan was formulated in October.

On November 30, General Secretary Xi Jinping chaired a
symposium in Shanghai, focusing on the comprehensive advancement of integrated
development in the Yangtze River Delta. He underscored the imperative to “achieve
new major breakthroughs in promoting the integrated development of the Yangtze
River Delta and enhance its leading and exemplary role in Chinese-style
modernization.” He emphasized the need to “expedite the establishment of the
Yangtze River Delta Ecological and Green Integrated Development Demonstration Zone,
enhance the territorial space planning system in the demonstration zone,
fortify cross-regional coordination and organic connections among planning,
land utilization, and project construction, and enable an accelerated shift
from regional project coordination to institutional innovation for regional
integration. On December 9, the Central Leading Group for Coordinated Regional
Development, in collaboration with Shanghai, Jiangsu and Zhejiang, convened a
meeting to propel the construction of the demonstration zone and outlined plans
for the subsequent steps.

In accordance with the spirit of the symposium and the
requirements outlined in the demonstration zone construction work promotion
meeting, the Executive Committee, in collaboration with all relevant parties, undertook
a comprehensive refinement and enhancement of the Three-Year Action Plan. The
finalized version of this plan was officially issued on January 2, 2024, with
four primary considerations driving its development:

1. Enhancing functionality:
The initiation of the new Three-Year Action Plan represents a tangible commitment
to fully realizing General Secretary Xi Jinping’s pivotal directives on the
integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta. This planning phase places
emphasis on expediting the implementation of more functional projects, ensuring
early visual impact and swift functionality. The objective is to transition
from mere form development to substantive functional advancement, facilitating
significant breakthroughs in key areas and sectors in the demonstration zone.
It aims to serve as the vanguard and breakthrough point for the integrated
development of the Yangtze River Delta.

2. Exemplification:
The development of the new Three-Year Action Plan is a concrete step towards
promoting cross-regional coordination and the organic integration of planning,
land use, and project construction. Grounded in the approved general plan of
the demonstration zone and the pilot start-up area, this planning cycle centers
on the pilot start-up area by specifically targeting cross-regional and
cross-basin projects, focusing on strategic industrial clusters. The plan
advocates for the concentrated demonstration of Water Town Parlor, as well as Xicen
S&T Innovation Center, Wujiang High-speed Rail New Town and Jiashan
Xiangfudang Innovation Center, together with the categorized demonstration of
four major sectors: ecological and environmental protection, infrastructure
interconnection, industrial innovation and transformation, and public service
guarantee.

3. Continuity: The latest Three-Year Action Plan embraces the principles of joint
consultation, joint construction, joint management, sharing, and win-win
collaboration. It persists in navigating the dual implementation paths of
centralized demonstration and classified demonstration, while maintaining the
established mechanism of “dynamic adjustment and rolling
update.” Simultaneously, it extends support to the ongoing
renewal projects of the preceding Action Plan, emphasizing continuity and
building upon the previous achievements. In response to
the evolving needs and aspirations of the demonstration zone’s construction and development, this new phase places heightened emphasis
on project maturity and accentuates a commitment to the implementation of
high-impact, momentum-driving projects, thereby expediting the
enhancement of the demonstration zone’s agglomeration and visibility.

4. Robust support: The formulation of the latest Three-Year
Action Plan serves as a robust catalyst for the collaborative advancement of
the demonstration zone by Shanghai, Jiangsu and Zhejiang. This planning cycle
aims to further enhance the joint guarantee mechanism for major projects,
reinforcing the assurance of project funding, land, and other critical elements
among eight parties at three levels in Shanghai, Jiangsu and Zhejiang.
Simultaneously, it intensifies efforts in upward coordination, empowering
project construction and mobilizing the enthusiasm of project implementation
entities.

II. Key
highlights of the Three-Year Action Plan

The latest rendition of the Three-Year Action Plan
unfolds across three pivotal sections, namely overall requirements,
implementation plans, and safeguard measures. It strategically concentrates on
the focal domains of Water Town Parlor, Xicen S&T Innovation Center,
Wujiang High-speed Rail New Town and Jiashan Xiangfudang Innovation Center, and
the pivotal sectors of ecological and environmental protection, infrastructure
interconnection, industrial innovation, and people’s livelihood services. Covering
a comprehensive set of 16 actions and a total of 124 projects, the plan’s main
contents and highlights are delineated as follows:

1.      Emphasis on centralized demonstration and enhancing the
functionality and impact

The new Three-Year Action
Plan prioritizes the strategic sectors of Water Town Parlor, Xicen S&T
Innovation Center, Wujiang High-speed Rail New Town and Jiashan Xiangfudang
Innovation Center, with a specific focus on elucidating construction objectives
for each area spanning 2024 to 2026. This also includes delineating annual
construction arrangements for major functional projects.

Water Town Parlor,
conceived as a collaborative green development model among Shanghai, Jiangsu
and Zhejiang, is set to expedite project construction following the initiation
of the Square Hall and Water Courtyard situated in the area that connects the
three places last May. By 2026, key functional development projects such as the
Square Hall and Water Courtyard, the Smart Innovation Engine (Phase 1 and Phase
2), and Science and Technology Innovation Academy (Phase 1) are anticipated to
be operational. Concurrently, ecological restoration initiatives like Three Gardens
including Jiangnan polder and mulberry fishpond, and the north part of the Blue
Ring will officially commence operations.

In terms of Qingpu Xicen S&T
Innovation Center, Huawei R&D Center is on track for completion and interior
decoration, with official launch slated for June this year. Infrastructure
developments, including the opening of roads such as Cenbu Road and Guihua No.6
Road in the first half of the year, and the operational launch of Xicen Water
Purification Plant in September, are set to further enhance the surrounding
landscape. Other surrounding public construction projects are being accelerated
and will be completed by the end of 2026. Xicen S&T Innovation Park is
expediting its construction, evolving into an internationally first-class
innovation community that includes corporate offices, R&D and pilot trials,
technology incubation, and production services.

In terms of Suzhou South
Railway Station S&T Innovation City, the construction of the transportation
hub is being accelerated, and it will be launched when the Shanghai-Suzhou-Huzhou
Railway is officially opened to traffic this year. The collection and
distribution road project will also open to traffic by the end of this year.
The first phase of the comprehensive improvement of the water system, as well
as construction of municipal roads, sewage treatment and public facilities are
being accelerated, and will also be completed in 2026, and the formation of a
high-speed rail town integrating the station and the city will be accelerated.

In terms of Jiashan
Xiangfudang Innovation Center, several projects are set to commence
construction this year, including the Comprehensive Improvement of S&T
Innovation Green Valley R&D Headquarters, Zhejiang University Yangtze River
Delta Smart Oasis, and the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University
School of Medicine Jiaxing Hospital. Anticipated completion of the S&T
Innovation Green Valley R&D Headquarters Commercial Street, ecology restoration,
and supporting projects by the end of 2026 will accelerate the formation of an
innovation center with distinctive characteristics, amalgamating education,
research and development, international exchanges, culture, tourism, and
creativity.

2. Emphasis on classified demonstration and expediting advancements
in agglomeration and visibility

The latest Three-Year Action
Plan centers on four key domains: ecological and environmental protection, infrastructure
connectivity, industrial innovation, and people’s livelihood services. This
strategic initiative propels the execution of a new wave of projects,
showcasing innovative concepts and models, while hastening the enhancement of
the agglomeration and visibility within the demonstration zone.

In the realm of ecological and environmental protection,
our primary focus is on expediting the establishment of an ecological framework
known as “one center, two corridors, three chains, and four areas.” We will
implement four pivotal actions: ecological restoration of rivers and lakes,
creation of clear water corridors, interconnection of river networks and water
systems, and intensification of pollution control measures. Notably, progress will
be made in advancing 17 projects. Building upon the comprehensive
transformation of the 23.9-kilometer shoreline of Yuandang Lake, the current
phase aims to achieve the same level of transformation for Dianshan Lake
shoreline. Moreover, the comprehensive treatment of the water environment for
the Blue Bead Chain (Phase II) and the Wuzitang River Basin is slated for
completion. Concurrently, the commencement of the Taipu River’s follow-up
project is scheduled, further solidifying the ecological foundation of the
demonstration zone and fortifying the groundwork for the transformation of
ecological advantages.

In the domain of infrastructure connectivity, a total of
38 projects will be executed, spanning rail transit, regional road
connectivity, distinctive transportation construction, digital and smart infrastructure.
Anticipated milestones include the completion and opening of the
Shanghai-Suzhou-Huzhou high-speed railway and the western extension of Shanghai
Metro Line 17 by the end of 2024. Additionally, accelerated progress is
expected in the construction of the Nantong-Suzhou-Jiaxing-Ningbo high-speed
railway and Shanghai-Suzhou-Jiaxing intercity railway, with projects like Rudong-Nantong-Suzhou-Huzhou
intercity railway and Jiaxing-Fengnan municipal railway to commence
construction in 2024. This comprehensive approach will further underscore the
pivotal role of rail transit in propelling the development of the demonstration
zone. Building on the earlier completion of nine inter-provincial roads, the
acceleration of projects such as Fenhu Avenue-Xingshan Highway and Jinshang
Highway-Jinshang Highway will continue to reinforce inter-provincial
connectivity. Simultaneously, the digital space’s cul-de-sac is being addressed
with urgency. China Telecom’s computing power-efficient scheduling hub in
Liantang is set to be completed and operational by year-end. Additionally,
projects like China Telecom Wujiang computing power dispatching center and
China Mobile Fenhu computing power convergence dispatching center are slated
for completion by the end of 2026. Furthermore, the initiation of projects such
as China Mobile Shanghai 5G valley data center and China Telecom Jiaxing
computing center in the first half of this year will propel the construction of
the Yangtze River Delta national hub for the national integrated computing
network.

In the realm of industrial innovation, our objective
is to forge a new pinnacle for green innovation and development. Four actions
have been set in motion, including the collaborative construction of innovation
platforms, the elevation of advanced manufacturing, the nurturing of a novel
economy in culture and tourism, and the empowerment of new services,
collectively spanning 34 projects. Currently, significant strides are being
made in expediting landmark projects. Ventures such as the Anta Shanghai Headquarters,
BatteroTech 32GWh Power Battery, and Everest Medicines med-tech project are on
course to be completed and operational this year. Concurrently, projects like Qingpu
Fudan International Integrated Innovation Center, Wujiang National Functional
Fiber Innovation Center, Maxwell Pan-semiconductor Equipment, Hengtong 5G and
next-generation high-speed communication product, and Cambridge Industries
Group (CIG) Optoelectronics Industrialization Base, are slated to commence
construction this year. The comprehensive realization of headquarters projects,
including Midea, Kangpu, Hengli, NetEase, YTO and RSUN, is anticipated by the
end of 2025, marking a significant milestone in expediting the construction of
a modern industrial system, which envisions the synchronized advancement of the
industrial and innovation chains within the demonstration zone.

In the sphere of people’s livelihood services, 22
projects have been undertaken to enhance the quality of public services,
facilitate rural revitalization, establish benchmarks for quality human
settlements, and preserve distinctive cultural contexts. Presently, pivotal construction
initiatives such as the National Medical Center of Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan
University and the expansion of the No. 4 People’s Hospital of Wujiang District
are underway. The urban renewal projects for the west bank area of Yuandang Lake,
the protection of the Jinze ancient town, and other initiatives are scheduled
to kick off this year. Furthermore, the completion and utilization of projects
like Jiashan 120 Emergency Center, the Regional Emergency Medical Center,
Fenghui School, and the Four-River Convergence project in Pingwang are expected
this year. These endeavors collectively contribute to advancing the
equalization of basic public services in the demonstration zone and
comprehensively elevating the quality of regional public services.

3. Emphasis on the efficacy of implementation to support accelerated
construction of major projects

We will step up concerted efforts to further fortify the supply
of crucial elements such as funding and land. A strategic emphasis is placed on
prioritizing major projects outlined in the Three-Year Action Plan. These
projects are incorporated into the ambit of special fund support for the pilot
start-up area within the demonstration zone. Furthermore, they are included in
the scope of provincial and municipal land quota systems, and special emphasis
is given to recommending and applying for financial support from the central
budget. Simultaneously, the project promotion mechanism will undergo refinement
to consolidate work responsibilities and harness the full potential of the main
bodies involved in project construction. An annual list is established,
enabling dynamic screening and phased scheduling of projects. A scheduling
mechanism is implemented, playing a crucial role in overall planning and
coordination. Regular coordination sessions are conducted to address and
resolve challenges promptly. A tracking and feedback mechanism is initiated,
leveraging the smart brain platform of the demonstration zone. This enables
timely monitoring of project progress and addresses challenges as they arise.
An evaluation and assessment system is implemented to gradually establish a
comprehensive project evaluation framework. Mid-term evaluations and final
comprehensive assessments are conducted to gauge the success and impact of the
initiatives.

In 2024, the Executive Committee of the Yangtze River
Delta Integration Demonstration Zone will collaborate with eight parties at
three levels in Shanghai, Jiangsu and Zhejiang to fully implement the spirits
of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important speech at the Symposium on
Deepening the Integrated Development of the Yangtze River Delta. We will adhere
to the two-wheel drive of institutional innovation and project construction, and
strive to translate the grand blueprint of integrated development in the
Yangtze River Delta into tangible construction plans and real scenes within the
demonstration zone. By doing so, we aim to deliver an outstanding outcome in
the exploration of a coordinated regional development model for the entire
nation.