Hangzhou, capital of East China's Zhejiang province signs 10 cooperative agreements with Huangshan city in Anhui province on Dec 4 to boost the regional integration of the YRD. [Photo/zjol.com.cn]

Hangzhou, capital of East China's Zhejiang province signed 10 strategic cooperation agreements with Huangshan city in Anhui province on Dec 4, as the two sides jointly seek to boost the regional integration of the Yangtze River Delta (YRD), one of the most dynamic economic areas in the country.

According to the agreements, the alliance will step up efforts to integrate tourism and cultural resources and build a world-class tourism route by linking seven 5A-level scenic spots along the Hangzhou-Huangshan line including Huangshan Mountain, West Lake and Qiandao Lake, and over 50 4A-level tourist attractions along the route. 

The two cities will also work together in the areas of public services, ecologic cooperation, regional transportation management, agriculture, business and economy, and industrial development.

Meanwhile, the signing of the agreements was also part of efforts to integrate Huangshan into the Hangzhou metropolitan circle, an initiative for economic development and transportation infrastructure among five cities in Zhejiang province.

Zhou Jiangyong, Party chief of Hangzhou believed that the opening of the 265-kilometer Hangzhou-Huangshan line brings a treasure house of opportunities. It is imperative for Hangzhou to continuously expand cooperation areas, explore new mechanisms and ways of cooperation with its partners.

The deepened cooperation between Hangzhou and Huangshan is just an example. The integration of YRD will not be fully realized until there is integration between the information, transportation and market sectors within the region, according to a local official.

In terms of the wellbeing of its people, the two parties will also build up educational and cultural resources sharing and cooperation in environmental protection.

Over the years, Hangzhou and Huangshan have witnessed closer economic cooperation along with frequent personnel exchanges.

Official statistics reveals that 300 enterprises from cities of the Hangzhou metropolitan circle settle in Huangshan with a total investment over 20 billion yuan ($2.91 billion). Among the 200,000 Huangshan residents who seek opportunities outside of the city, 60 percent start business in Zhejiang and most of them do so in cities of the Hangzhou metropolitan circle.