Hot word: Modern metropolitan areas

現代化都市圈 (xiàndàihuà dūshìquān)

The National Development and Reform Commission recently issued guidelines on cultivating and developing modern metropolitan areas, with the aim of building mature modern metropolitan areas with international influence by 2035.

A metropolitan area refers to the urban spatial form comprising a one-hour commuting circle centered on a metropolis within a city cluster, which is a main part of the new type of urbanization and the important platform for supporting national economic growth, promoting regional coordinated development and participating in international competition and cooperation.

The development of metropolitan areas focuses on the coordinated development of a core megacity and surrounding areas, as well as the integrated operation of public services and the market among neighboring cities.

It is expected that a batch of modern metropolitan areas with regional competitive advantages will be established, which can be a significant support for the high quality development of city cluster and the country's economic transformation and upgrading.

According to media reports, many major cities including Shanghai, Zhengzhou and Qingdao have begun to advance the building of metropolitan areas since the beginning of the year.