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Demonstration areas for the integrated ecological development in the sprawling Yangtze River Delta region in East China unveiled 65 new projects on Feb 19, local media reported.

The Yangtze River Delta or YRD is a triangle-shaped megalopolis — broadly made up of the areas in East China of Shanghai city, Jiangsu province, Zhejiang province, and Anhui province — which generates some 20 per cent of the country's GDP.

The demonstration areas comprise Jiashan county administered by Jiaxing city in Zhejiang province, the Qingpu district of Shanghai and the Wujiang district of Suzhou city in Jiangsu province.

The new projects involve road construction, natural environment restoration, the introduction of innovative industries, new infrastructure, public medical facilities, tourism and culture and advanced education.

In terms of new infrastructure, the three demonstration areas will accelerate the construction and sharing of 5G signals and gigabit fibers. They will also promote the full coverage of 5G signals in key areas and increase their support and services for artificial intelligence, intelligent connected vehicles, cloud computing, the internet of things, block chain and other new-generation information technology.

In terms of public medical facilities, the three areas will build four more hospitals and support three existing local hospitals to apply for the status of a first-class hospital in China — including the 9th People's hospital of Suzhou, the Shengze branch of Jiangsu Province Hospital and the First People's hospital of Jiashan.

Moreover, the demonstration areas have also drafted a three-year action plan to further improve their natural environment and administrative services, share more facilities and introduce more industry innovation.

In addition, the three will also host influential sports events this year, including the World Rowing Championships, the Nacra Sailing Asian Qualifier of Tokyo Olympic Games and the World Dragon Boat Championships.