Hubei proposes new "city cluster" development strategy

The 'China Three Gorges Urban Cooperation and Development Forum' was recently held in Yichang, Hubei province, on Jan 24.

It was attended by 55 experts around the country, who each reached a consensus to form the so-called "Three Gorges City Cluster" development strategy. According to the strategy, cities in the Three Gorges will be a great boost to the regional economic development.

With a total area of more than 70,000 square kilometers, the cities included in the strategy include Yichang, Jingzhou, Jingmen, Enshi and Shenlongjia of Hubei; Wanzhou of Chongqing; and Changde, Yueyang and Zhangjiajie of Hunan.

Although there are already four existing city clusters along the Yangtze River, a sub-level city cluster is planned to be built in order to develop cities lying between the mid-Yangtze River city cluster and Chengdu-Chongqing city cluster.

It's necessary to build the Three Gorges city cluster to strengthen the cooperation and mutual development of the three city clusters, including Yangtze River Delta city cluster, Mid-Yangtze River city cluster and Chengdu-Chongqing city cluster, according to Qin Zunwen, vice-president of Hubei Academy of Social Sciences.

As a comprehensive regional transportation hub, Yichang enjoys good geographical advantages and should be developed to promote the development the Three Gorges city cluster together with other cities, said Huang Chuping, Party secretary of Yichang.

Edited by Liu Kun