Shanghai region to bridge domestic, global markets

The newly planned V-shaped area including western Shanghai's Hongqiao business district and other parts of the Yangtze River Delta region will work as an important gateway to link domestic and international markets, experts said.

The State Council released in late February the framework plan to build Shanghai's Hongqiao and parts of neighboring Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces into an international hub. It highlighted more opening-up policies, which will further facilitate innovation, transportation and international trade.

Covering a total of 7,000 square kilometers, 151-sq-km of which are the Hongqiao business district, the newly planned area is not only conducive to the integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta region, but also closely related to the country's social and economic development, said Chen Yin, Shanghai's executive vice-mayor, during a news conference last week.