Core Viewpoint - The "Action Plan" aims to enhance the integration and development of the Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration through 30 specific tasks, focusing on key areas and institutional frameworks to overcome existing challenges and promote coordinated growth [2][4]. Group 1: Action Plan Overview - The "Action Plan" was officially issued by the Yangtze River Delta Regional Cooperation Office in collaboration with the development and reform commissions of Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Anhui, outlining strategies for urban integration from 2018 to 2024 [2]. - The region's GDP is projected to grow at an average annual rate of 5.58% from 2018 to 2024, indicating the potential for significant economic development despite existing challenges in urban integration [2]. Group 2: Three Focus Areas - Focus on key regions and fields to enhance cooperation and integration among urban areas, creating a layout of "central cities—important nodes—strategic supports" [3]. - Emphasize institutional development by improving planning, policy, and legislative coordination to support urban integration [3]. - Implement multiple measures that balance innovation and tradition, promoting both common practices and differentiated explorations within the urban agglomeration [3]. Group 3: Seven Key Initiatives - Establish a coordinated development "group" across regions led by central cities to enhance collaboration [3]. - Create an interconnected infrastructure "network" to improve commuting systems and logistics efficiency [3]. - Develop a collaborative innovation "chain" for technology and industry to enhance regional innovation capabilities [3]. - Optimize the market environment through a unified access and regulatory system to facilitate market integration [3]. - Promote high-level open cooperation as a "chess game" to enhance institutional openness and shared platforms [3]. - Ensure ecological protection through a unified approach to environmental management [3]. - Share public service resources conveniently through a "shared card" system [3]. Group 4: Strategic Importance - The construction of a modern urban agglomeration in the Yangtze River Delta is a priority for the 14th Five-Year Plan, aiming to unlock regional growth potential and enhance global competitiveness [4].

Core Insights - The seminar on promoting the integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration highlighted the need for a systematic approach to achieve modernization and integration, acknowledging existing challenges and opportunities [1][3][5] Group 1: Development Strategy - The Yangtze River Delta has been exploring regional integration for seven years, with the newly issued "Action Plan" aiming to enhance urban agglomeration development by 2035 [3][9] - The focus is on breaking down administrative barriers to facilitate the flow of resources, reduce transaction costs, and enhance market efficiency [5][7] Group 2: Challenges and Solutions - Key challenges include improving the integration mechanism, enhancing planning coordination, increasing the capacity of central cities, and optimizing spatial layout [5][7] - The need for a common action plan for urban agglomeration construction is emphasized to unlock structural potential and improve spatial organization [13] Group 3: Economic Performance - The Yangtze River Delta region has shown strong economic growth, with an average GDP growth rate of 5.58% from 2018 to 2024, contributing approximately 26% of China's economic increment during this period [9] - The number of "trillion-yuan cities" in the region has increased from 6 to 9, indicating significant economic development [9] Group 4: Collaborative Efforts - The seminar included participation from various experts and officials from major urban agglomerations, focusing on sharing experiences and strategies for urban integration [12][10] - The collaborative approach aims to implement the "Action Plan" effectively and address the challenges faced by the Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration [12][13]