Skyline of the InterContinental Hotel Hangzhou in Qianjiang New Town in Hangzhou city, East China's Zhejiang province [Photo/IC]

A Hangzhou delegation of government officials embarked on a three-day tour to the surrounding cities of Shaoxing, Huzhou and Jiaxing on July 22.

Aiming to enhance regional cooperation and promote the construction of the Hangzhou metropolitan area, the delegation signed a total of 15 cooperation agreements with three cities focusing on public services, transportation, culture and tourism, and government affair services.

"People's livelihood and infrastructure construction are prioritized in the integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) region, which is why we chose to enhance cooperation in these four areas," said an official from the Hangzhou Development and Reform Commission.

The official further noted that the primary task for Hangzhou in integrating the YRD is to strengthen cooperation with Shanghai and introduce more quality resources.

Zhejiang announced that it will push ahead with the construction of a modern, competitive metropolitan area early in February, with Hangzhou, Wenzhou, Ningbo and Jinyi as its core cities.