China begins 3-yr plan to integrate Yangtze delta region

Regions in China's Yangtze delta have agreed a three-year action plan to integrate their economies, as they bid to improve coordination and put an end to irrational competition, state media reported on Thursday.

The English-language Global Times newspaper said a plan to integrate the financial hub of Shanghai with the giant manufacturing regions of Zhejiang and Jiangsu and the province of Anhui was formulated in June.

The plan will focus on 12 economic sectors, including information technology, finance and environmental protection. The region will also work to improve cross-boundary transportation networks and pool its human resources and energy supplies, according to a report by Shanghai Securities News.

China has been trying to put an end to a "fortress economy" mentality among its regions, which it says has helped cause overcapacity in sectors like steel, renewable power and car manufacturing.

The central government has already launched an action plan aimed at removing administrative barriers between the capital Beijing and its neighbours, Hebei province and Tianjin.