The deputy director of Region department of National Development and Reform Commission Chen Xuanqing disclosed at the conference, the draft for review of "the Planning Program of Yangtze River Delta Regional" recently finished compile, the draft for review clear the four major functions of the Yangtze River Delta:

First, china’s economic center which with the strongest comprehensive strength. On one hand, the Yangtze River Delta become economic centers with the largest scale of the nation and the strongest international competitiveness, become the momentum engine which use global resource radiate Yangtze River valley and stimulate the growth of national economy; The other hand, in the Yangtze River Delta formed a comprehensive economic zone which use Shanghai international economic, financial, trade and shipping center as the core, well coordinated with other cities, and use large metropolitan area as it’s organization structure.

Second, it is the important international gateway of Asia-Pacific region. Yangtze River Delta region is the geographic center of East Asia, and the communications center of the Western Pacific East Asia in navigation. Along with the building of Shanghai international shipping center, the Yangtze River Delta will become the important world's cities agglomeration and industries intensive areas in West Pacific, and will play an important role in the Asia-Pacific geo-economic situation and the process of regional integration, and the important window of China's participation in global cooperation and exchanges with the outside world, and the important international gateway in the Asia-Pacific region.

Third, it is an important advanced manufacturing base in the world. After the endeavor in "11th Five-Year Plan" and even longer period, make Yangtze River Delta have the innovation ability which can promote industrial upgrading and intensive development, have a group of internationally renowned brands with independent intellectual property rights, formed an important base for industrial innovation. Meanwhile formed industrial organization and division system which with relatively complete heavy and chemical industries, processing and manufacturing and high-tech industries, formed the strategic industry clusters of petrochemical, iron and steel, electronic information and other industries which have international competitiveness, become an important advanced manufacturing bases in the world which integrate development, design, production, processing, International Marketing and powerful business functions.

Fourth, it is the first area in china which among world-class city agglomeration. Use Shanghai international economic, financial, trade and shipping center and the building of a national innovation center as the lead, further improve the city level and city structure, and strive to build a city system with rational division and complete function, accelerate the process of city internationalization, and make it become world-class city agglomeration which have the most dynamic and international competitiveness.