Development plan for Changsha-Zhuzhou-Xiangtan metropolitan area approved

The National Development and Reform Commission released an official reply on February 24 to approve the Development Plan of the Changsha-Zhuzhou-Xiangtan Metropolitan Area.

The reply pointed out that, the plan should be implemented following the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and the guiding principles of the 19th CPC National Congress and the second, third, fourth, and fifth plenary sessions of the 19th Central Committee. Work should be done to fully and faithfully implement the New Development Philosophy, and serve and integrate into it, so as to give play to Changsha’s leading role in driving the development of surrounding cities and towns, and promote integrated development of Changsha, Zhuzhou, and Xiangtan cities. The area will support the city clusters along the middles reaches of the Yangtze River, and help boost the high-quality development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt and the central region of China.

The reply required Hunan government to coordinate the implementation guidance of the plan. A coordination and promotion mechanism for metropolitan area development should be established, to solve key problems in plan implementation, organize assessments of implementation progress, and summarize experiences without delay. Changsha, Zhuzhou, and Xiangtan cities, as the key participators of the plan, should make concerted efforts to push forward the plan, jointly formulate annual schedules, and ensure the fulfillment of all tasks and objectives. The major issues, policies, and projects mentioned in the plan should be submitted for approval procedures.

The National Development and Reform Commission will work with the member units of the inter-ministerial joint conference on urbanization work, also urban-rural integrated development, to reinforce guidance on the implementation of the plan. They will provide support in the aspects of planning, institutional innovation, and key project construction, so as to create a favorable environment for the implementation of the plan.