The construction plan of Hangzhou Greater Bay Area, an economic and industrial belt centered on Hangzhou Bay, became a hot topic at the two sessions.

NPC deputies from Zhejiang province brought forward the idea to build the area into a digital greater bay area and upgrade the construction plan to a national strategy.

Overlapping the Yangtze River Delta, the area could go a long way toward integrating the already prosperous region. Such a cluster could cover the coastal megacity of Shanghai, as well as about 10 more important cities in neighboring Zhejiang and Jiangsu provinces.

"The Hangzhou Greater Bay Area could promote the integration and industrial upgrading at Yangtze River Economic Zone which plays a key role in China's economic development," said Yu Xuewen, NPC deputy and director of Qingkeng village. Yu also suggested developing digital greater bay area based on the industrial advantages of digital economy in Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang province.

Xi Wen, NPC deputy and chief anchor of Zhejiang Satellite TV, also analyzed the potential that can build the Hangzhou Greater Bay Area into a world-level area featuring digital economy. The area has a number of advantages, including favorable geographic location, prosperous industries, good business environment, developed private economy and plenty of high-tech industries.

"The Hangzhou Greater Bay Area should focus on developing high-end economy and industries," suggested Shen Manhong, NPC deputy and president of Ninbo University. Shen explained that the development of high-tech industry can not only promote economy in the area, but also solve the constraints of resource and environment problems.

To develop a digital Hangzhou Greater Bay Area, the NPC deputies came up with suggestions from three aspects: improving support measures to attract talented personnel, making the bay a hub of talents; forming a cluster of emerging industries by developing industries of information technology, biotechnology, high-end manufacturing, and new energy; releasing preferential policies to develop digital economy and explore the potential of artificial intelligence, mobile payment, and internet of things industries.