A plan on transforming Zhejiang into a "big garden" in the Yangtze River Delta region was published by the provincial development and reform commission.

According to the plan, Zhejiang will develop a variety of tourism activities including sightseeing, sports and study tours, hold more major conferences and competitions with an international influence and develop some of its islands into leading international tourist destinations. 

In addition, Zhejiang will build 10 island parks, including one in the Shengsi Islands of Zhoushan and design different tourist routes according to different natural and cultural conditions of the individual island parks.

Tourism investors showed great interest in the plan, leading to the signing of many related cooperation projects at the opening ceremony.

Tourism investors and Zhoushan government departments sign cooperation projects at the opening ceremony. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The opening ceremony was followed by a main forum discussing cultural and tourism integration in countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative and two reports on world island tourism were also published.

A food festival showcasing the flavors of Zhejiang was held the day earlier, as a sideline event.