One year on: Jiading, Wenzhou see fruitful results

Riding the wave of the Yangtze River Delta's integrative development which was launched last year, Jiading in Shanghai and Wenzhou in Zhejiang province have reaped the benefits of coordination and collaborative development.

The scientific and technological innovation sector was a top priority for the two sides. For example, over 40 enterprises and 360 research members have joined the three incubation centers set up respectively between Jiading and Wenzhou, Leqing and Nanxiang, and Ruian and Anting.

Promotional events for sci-tech projects, conceived by renowned colleges and universities, have lifted related trade between the two sides to a new high, bringing in 280 million yuan ($39.9 million) in the first three quarters of 2019.

Industrial co-prosperity was another highlight of the two sides' cooperation. For example, Jiading is set to build an industrial park in Wenzhou, which can better serve Jiading companies and help them accommodate local conditions. The construction plan of the park has been approved, and it will attract investment of over 10 billion yuan on the 1.58-square-kilometer land. The first group of companies to settle there has been confirmed.

An automobile industrial alliance was also established in May, which has engaged nearly 100 auto enterprises from Wenzhou, Jiading and Suzhou in the neighboring Jiangsu province.

The equity investment fund for industrial upgrading of the Yangtze River Delta was completed in March. As of now, companies have finished registration and the initial investment of 350 million - 800 million yuan in total - has been put in place.

The two sides also enjoyed more common ground in public services. For example, local residents can have 32 kinds of government business settled in the counterpart region. The mobile application for Wenzhou city bus and metro passes can also pay for such rides in Shanghai. The interconnected health insurance system enables 2.08 million Wenzhou residents to seek medical advice and directly have their bills cleared at 686 Shanghai hospitals. Wenzhou doctors exerted their expertise and helped Jiading hospitals in the prevention and control of myopia in children and adolescents.

Non-governmental exchanges prospered between the two sides. For example, the 2nd Zhejiang (Wenzhou) International Import Expo, which kicked off in September, saw a number of Jiading exhibitors taking part and business volume reaching over 15 million yuan. Leisure and study trips tailored by Wenzhou have welcomed over 12,000 Jiading tourists.