At a press conference for the Yangtze River Delta Ecological Green Integrated Development Demonstration Zone (hereinafter referred to as the “Demonstration Zone”) held today, the achievements of the Demonstration Zone during the “14th Five-Year Plan” period and the key work arrangements for the opening year of the “15th Five-Year Plan” were introduced.

I. Achievements in the Construction of the Demonstration Zone During the “14th Five-Year Plan” Period

As the pioneering move and breakthrough point for the integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta, since its inauguration in November 2019, the Demonstration Zone has consistently focused on high-quality development. After more than six years of construction, particularly with concentrated efforts during the “14th Five-Year Plan” period, the Demonstration Zone has shown strong momentum in integrated, high-quality development: the average nominal annual GDP growth rate reached 7.3%, with GDP reaching 571.6 billion yuan in 2025. The growth rates of the two districts and one county within the zone all ranked at the forefront within their respective provinces and cities. Indicators such as the total output value of industries above a designated scale and the growth rate of industrial investment in the Demonstration Zone were higher than the average level of the Yangtze River Delta region.

Especially in the past year of 2025, the construction of the Demonstration Zone saw comprehensive efforts and continuous highlights: The Central Regional Coordination Office issued the third batch of 8 reform authorization items for the Demonstration Zone, bringing the cumulative total to three batches comprising 26 reform authorizations. All 18 items from the first two batches have been fully implemented. The provincial-level governments issued 9 provincial reform authorization items, including accelerating the construction of a unified large market and promoting technological innovation and industrial development, to support the high-quality development of the Demonstration Zone. In the integrated exploration of “maintaining administrative subordination while breaking administrative boundaries,” the Demonstration Zone introduced 7 new institutional innovation achievements, including a cross-provincial joint review mechanism for urban development boundary adjustments and a collaborative mechanism for ecological and environmental judicial protection. This brings the cumulative total to 161 institutional innovation achievements, with 61 institutional innovation experiences replicated and promoted nationwide, further demonstrating its exemplary effect. The landmark and functional project, Fangting Shuiyuan (Square Hall Water Courtyard), jointly built by the three regions, has been completed and put into operation, marking a new phase where key areas emphasize both project construction and functional cultivation. The successful establishment of the Demonstration Zone Investment Fund and the accelerated construction of the Yangtze River Delta Qing-Wu-Jia High-Tech Zone have injected new momentum into the zone’s development. The Demonstration Zone successfully became a national “Lucid Waters and Lush Mountains Are Invaluable Assets” practice and innovation base, with its excellent ecology increasingly becoming a golden hallmark.

Overall, after more than six years of continuous effort, the Demonstration Zone has progressed from laying foundations and erecting pillars to comprehensive advancement and accumulating strength, showcasing a new outlook of integration and high-quality development. This is specifically reflected in five distinct characteristics:

First, the ecological foundation has been continuously enhanced, with green development reaching a new level. The annual average PM2.5 concentration has decreased by over 20% compared to 2019, and the proportion of surface water meeting or exceeding Grade III quality standards has increased by 23 percentage points compared to 2019. The Demonstration Zone released its first biodiversity survey results, recording a total of 2,790 species. Indicator species such as the Baer’s Pochard, the Tiger-striped Frog, and the Yellow-veined Firefly have established stable populations within the zone. The entire Demonstration Zone was included in the national carbon peak pilot list. By establishing a carbon emission rapid calculation method and implementing coordinated assessment indicators for pollution reduction and carbon mitigation, a preliminary green and low-carbon development indicator system has been constructed, signifying that the Demonstration Zone is at the forefront nationally in exploring pathways for realizing ecological value.

Second, innovation-driven momentum is strong, with economic development demonstrating high quality. By the end of 2025, the number of high-tech enterprises in the Demonstration Zone had increased to 3,713, 2.4 times the number at its establishment. High-level platforms such as the “National Key Laboratory for Water Pollution Control and Green Recycling of Resources” have been established in the Watertown Parlor. Platforms like the Qingpu Xicen Science and Innovation Center, the Wujiang Suzhou South Station Science and Innovation New City, and the Jiashan Xiangfudang Innovation Center are accelerating their construction. The radiating and driving effect of the Huawei Lianqiu Lake R&D Center is becoming increasingly evident. In the Xiangfu Laboratory Concept Verification Center and Pilot Platform Project located in Jiashan, the proportion of service contract value over the past three years serving cross

Yangtze River Delta

The Yangtze River Delta is a highly developed and economically vital region in eastern China, encompassing Shanghai and parts of Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Anhui provinces. Historically, its network of canals and rivers fostered trade and agriculture for centuries, making it a cultural and commercial heartland. Today, it is a global economic powerhouse and a key driver of China’s modernization and innovation.

Fangting Shuiyuan (Square Hall Water Courtyard)

Fangting Shuiyuan, located in the ancient city of Pingyao, Shanxi Province, is a well-preserved Qing Dynasty courtyard complex dating back over 300 years. Its name, meaning “Square Hall Water Courtyard,” refers to its distinctive architectural layout centered around a square main hall and an integrated water system for drainage and climate regulation. It exemplifies traditional northern Chinese merchant residences and reflects the prosperity of Pingyao as a historic banking center.

Yangtze River Delta Qing-Wu-Jia High-Tech Zone

The Yangtze River Delta Qing-Wu-Jia High-Tech Zone is a major innovation hub in China, strategically located at the core of the Yangtze River Delta region. It was established to integrate the high-tech industrial strengths of Qingpu (Shanghai), Wujiang (Suzhou, Jiangsu), and Jiashan (Zhejiang), representing a key national project for cross-provincial cooperation and regional economic development. Its history is rooted in China’s 21st-century push to create world-class science and technology clusters through administrative synergy and shared resources.

Watertown Parlor

Based on available information, the “Watertown Parlor” does not refer to a widely recognized historical or cultural site. It is most commonly the name of a specific restaurant and bar located in Watertown, Massachusetts, known for its American comfort food and casual atmosphere. Without more specific context, it does not have a documented public history as a cultural landmark.

Qingpu Xicen Science and Innovation Center

The Qingpu Xicen Science and Innovation Center is a modern hub for technology and research located in Shanghai’s Qingpu District. It was established as part of the city’s broader initiative to foster innovation and integrate scientific development with the area’s historical watertown charm. The center aims to attract high-tech enterprises and talent, driving economic growth while being situated within a region with a rich cultural history dating back centuries.

Wujiang Suzhou South Station Science and Innovation New City

Wujiang Suzhou South Station Science and Innovation New City is a modern urban development project in Suzhou, Jiangsu province, centered around the high-speed rail station. It was planned as a hub integrating transportation, business, and research to drive regional technological and economic growth. The area represents a recent initiative, developed in the 21st century, to create a smart, innovation-focused district within the historically rich Yangtze River Delta region.

Jiashan Xiangfudang Innovation Center

The Jiashan Xiangfudang Innovation Center is a modern hub for technology and entrepreneurship located in Jiashan County, Zhejiang Province, China. It was established to drive regional economic growth by fostering innovation in industries like advanced manufacturing and digital tech. The center’s development is part of broader initiatives to transform the area, historically known for traditional industries, into a new engine for the Yangtze River Delta’s innovation economy.

Huawei Lianqiu Lake R&D Center

The Huawei Lianqiu Lake R&D Center is a major research and development campus located in Dongguan, China. Opened in 2018, it was designed as a state-of-the-art facility to consolidate Huawei’s R&D operations, featuring a distinctive European-inspired architectural style. Its construction reflects the company’s significant investment in innovation and its growth into a global technology leader.