China’s 2025 Master Plan for Yangtze River Delta Targets 5G, R&D Spending, Longer Lives

ZHANG YUSHUO

(Yicai Global) Dec. 2 — China’s cabinet has laid out its plan to build the Yangtze River Delta into a highly-developed regional hub, which includes setting up almost full coverage of fifth-generation wireless networks, spending more on research and development, and reaching some environmental goals by 2025.

The State Council yesterday published its ambitious blueprint for the region that comprises the eastern city of Shanghai, and the provinces of Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Anhui, while mapping out visions that go as far as 2035.

Last year, the economic region had 253 million residents and its gross domestic product was CNY21.15 trillion (USD3.01 trillion), close to those of Russia or India.

By 2025, the ratio of the region’s R&D spending to its gross domestic product should be 3 percent. Its high-tech industries’ output value should make up 18 percent of the total. Its residents’ life expectancy should be extended to 79 years.

The five-year plan includes boosted connectivity. The 358,000-square km area should have 80 percent 5G coverage. Railway network density ought to reach 507 kilometers per every 10,000 sqms. Highway density should reach 5 km for every 100 sqms. The outline also has environmental goals related to PM2.5 density and energy consumption per unit of GDP.

So far the region’s annual R&D expenditure, as well as its number of invention patents, make up about one-third of the nation’s total. That also goes for its value of trade, as well as inbound and outbound foreign direct investment.

Editor: Emmi Laine