The ties between Ningbo and Hangzhou have gotten stronger in recent years, according to a press conference co-hosted by the two cities, which are considered two prime economic powerhouses in East China's Zhejiang province, on Nov 30.

The two sides have seen notable improvements in the interconnectivity of infrastructure, public services, and in the sharing of resources in fields including, industry, culture, tourism, talents and innovation.

Technology transaction volume between Hangzhou and Ningbo has amounted to 688 million yuan ($98.29 million) so far this year, up 36.5 percent year-on-year, official data show.

Steady progress has also been seen in the integrated development of cargo transportation channels and trade facilitation.

Residents of Hangzhou and Ningbo can now access more than 200 frequently processed administrative service items such as the application of social security cards in each other's cities.

Direct settlement of cross-city medicalexpenses is also available in 1,130 medical institutions in Hangzhou and 769 in Ningbo.

The direct settlement of trans-city medical expenses allows any patient enrolled in the public medical insurance system to be reimbursed for medical and inpatient expenditure, regardless of the city they are treated in.