During the 14th Five Year Plan, Changzhou is aimed to become an internationally-renowned city of intellectual manufacturing and a pivotal city in the Yangtze River Delta. As a result, the development of Jiangsu Changzhou Economic Zone (CZEZ) plays an important role in integrating Changzhou into the Shanghai Metropolitan Region. It is reported that this year, the CZEZ plans to promote urban construction with 22 projects, creating a sub-center in the east of Changzhou.

The 22 projects are focused on different aspects. There are projects for infrastructure upgrade, such as improvement of Dongfang Avenue and relocation of the Changqing Sewage Pumping Station. The construction of Zhongtian Education Town, some cultural centers, public health service centers and a central park is to increase the urban functions of CZEZ, while the building of high-quality service projects will also be underway, such as Waterbay Commercial Street Sci-Tech Financial Street. Lianando U Valley and Dongfang Smart Industrial Park are scientific and research platforms to nurture Five-Type economy (i.e., innovative economy, service economy, open economy, headquarters economy, and Internet economy).

According to Mr. Gu Weiguo, the secretary of CZEZ’s Party Working Committee, as a sub-center, the CZEZ will be improved to a new level in image and functions. By embracing Suzhou-Wuxi-Changzhou Integrated Development and the building of Shanghai Metropolitan Region, the CZEZ is looking for new ways in development approach, construction model and urban governance. It will step up to build the urban center into a sample with complete functions, supporting industries, beautiful environment, and good employment, thus becoming an eastern bridgehead in Changzhou.