The Regional Plan for the Yangtze River Delta has been approved by the State Council, said the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) on May 24.

The Yangtze River Delta, embracing the Shanghai Municipality and Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces, is the most developed region in the country.

The plan says that the Yangtze River Delta will be developed into a key international gateway for the Asia-Pacific region, an important global center for the modern service industry and advanced manufacturing industry

The Yangtze River Delta, enjoying an advantageous location, excellent natural resources and a solid economic foundation, has become one of the country's most economically competitive regions, the NDRC said.