Integration of metro circle sees significant development
2023-12-22 18:12:10
By Chen Zai, Yichang Three Gorges International Communication Studio
The Yichang city government announced in a recent press conference that the development of an integrated three-city metro circle between Yichang, Jingzhou and Jingmen has made great progress.
As one of the three metropolitan circles being promoted by Hubei Province, the Yichang-Jingzhou-Jingmen Metropolitan Circle has a distinct function compared to the Wuhan and Xiangyang metropolitan circles, namely strengthening its regional radiation potential towards Eastern Chongqing, Western Hunan, and Northwestern Hubei.
The Yichang city government announced in a recent press conference that the development of an integrated three-city metro circle between Yichang, Jingzhou and Jingmen has made great progress.
As one of the three metropolitan circles being promoted by Hubei Province, the Yichang-Jingzhou-Jingmen Metropolitan Circle has a distinct function compared to the Wuhan and Xiangyang metropolitan circles, namely strengthening its regional radiation potential towards Eastern Chongqing, Western Hunan, and Northwestern Hubei.
The Yichang-Jingzhou-Jingmen Metropolitan Circle covers an area of 32,600 square kilometers, with a permanent resident population of approximately 9 million and a gross regional product amount of 854 billion yuan (US$120 billion) by the end of 2021. Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture has also been linked to the circle.
Yichang, Jingzhou, and Jingmen are about 100 kilometers apart from one another. Connected by mountains and rivers, they share similar customs and cultures and exchange frequently.
Yichang, Jingzhou, and Jingmen are about 100 kilometers apart from one another. Connected by mountains and rivers, they share similar customs and cultures and exchange frequently.
Map of Hubei’s three metropolitan circles
Over the past year, the member cities of the circle have strengthened cooperation, promoted regional joint development, and achieved significant results, which include:
1. Completion of inter-connectivity transportation projects beyond expectations, with the construction of a high-speed railway along the Yangtze River exceeding the target and the Sanxia Airport adding its first international route to Bangkok.
2. Deepened industrial collaboration, such as the joint development of an industrial demonstration park by Yidu City (part of Yichang) and Songzi City (part of Jingzhou), the collaborative establishment of the Wuling Mountain Tea Industry Cluster by Enshi and Yichang, and the joint release of 10 premium tourist routes across the circle.
3. Initial achievements in watershed management, including the joint release of biodiversity protection policies and the establishment of an ecological protection compensation mechanism between Yichang and Enshi.
4. Fruitful results in public welfare cooperation, such as the launch of integrated platforms for residents’ medical insurance and real estate registration.
The three cities and Enshi plan to achieve higher-quality integrated development by 2024, and aim to reach an aggregate economic output of 1.3 trillion. The key objectives include accelerating the construction of high-speed railways and highways as well as aligning and optimizing the industrial development across these cities.
