The Communist Party of China Central Committee ("CPCCC") and the State Council have recently issued the Outline of the Integrated Development of the Yangtze River Delta Region (the "Outline").
The Outline envisions that the integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta region will reach a relatively high level by 2035 when the region will see the modern economic system largely built, the disparity between urban and rural areas apparent narrow, the level of public services grow increasingly balanced, the infrastructure interconnectivity fully realized, the basic living needs of the people guaranteed at approximately the same level, and the systems and mechanisms for integrated development more thorough to lead across the country, expected to become the most influential and robust driving force of the nation's development. To this end, the Outline rolls out reform initiatives in seven aspects, including creating a new layout of coordinated regional development, strengthening the building of a coordinated innovative industry system and enhancing infrastructure interconnectivity, and makes it clear to "build integrated ecological and green development demonstration zones of high levels within the Yangtze River Delta region" and "develop new areas of the Shanghai Pilot Free Trade Zone under high standards". Among others, the Outline calls for resolute efforts to remove administrative hurdles and institutional barriers that hinder the integrated development, establish a unified and standardized framework of institutions, and create a unified and open market where production factors flow freely.