INTEGRATION, HIGH-QUALITY

Xi stressed focusing on the keywords of integration and high quality to push forward integrated development of the delta. Integrated approach and measures should be taken to break administrative barriers, enhance policy coordination, and enable the smooth flow of production factors on a larger scale.

He underlined promoting high-quality economic development of the Yangtze River Delta, intensifying efforts to achieve scientific and technological breakthroughs, boosting quality development of cities in the Yangtze River Delta region, fostering the momentum of high-quality development in underdeveloped regions, and promoting high-standard reform and opening-up of Pudong.

Xi urged the provinces of Jiangsu, Anhui and Zhejiang as well as Shanghai to prioritize key areas and major fields including integrated circuit, biomedicine, artificial intelligence, and called for efforts to foster the innovative development of micro, small and medium-sized technology companies.

He said the high-standard reform and opening-up of Pudong is of strategic significance to the development of Shanghai, the integrated and high-quality development of the Yangtze River Delta, as well as the socialist modernization in China.

Xi called for continued efforts to develop the Lingang area, a newly- launched section of the Shanghai pilot free trade zone, and boosting development of Shanghai as an international financial center to support the high-quality development of the Yangtze River Delta and the country.

Meanwhile, Xi demanded efforts to consolidate the foundation for the green development of the Yangtze River Delta, stressing that priority should be given to the protection and restoration of the Yangtze River's ecological environment, and measures must be taken to fix prominent environmental problems.

He underscored the need to enhance the access to basic public services in the region, so as to shore up weak links in people's livelihood while pursuing regional integration.

The integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta will not be achieved overnight, Xi said, calling on people to remain patient, think long term but act with a sense of urgency.

To deliver more fruitful outcomes, the plans for the integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025) should be drawn up in a practical way, he said.

Vice Premier Han Zheng, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and head of the leading group for promoting the integrated development of Yangtze River Delta, also attended the symposium.