China is speeding up drawing blueprints for its eleventh five-year development. And sources from State Development and Reform Commission indicated that regional planning would be one of the key elements. Bohai Rim and Yangtze Delta are expected to be pilots for the so-called regional economy. Mature experience will be promoted throughout the country.

Professor Zhu Dajian, an expert in regional economy, spotted the significance of the move. This is the first time that regional economy is included in the national five-year development planning. This marks the integration process of Yangtze River Delta will become a part of the national development strategy. As a result, competition in this area will go on in a more orderly, fairer way.

It is out of expectation that Pearl River Delta is not considered. Experts think the reason may lie in the fact that the conditions and interaction within the region is quite different from Yangtze Delta and Bohai-Rim, as most areas in Pearl Delta are in Guangdong Province. Besides, cooperation between the two special administration areas, Hong Kong and Macao, and other cities in the region will be conducted in the framework of CEPA.

In fact, the concept of regional economy was put forward as early as 1950s. But the administration system based on provincial administrations. Now by including it in the industrial planning will make it possible. "Anyway, the reform will be oriented by market," an expert said.

By People's Daily Online