An aerial photo of the Ezhou-Optics Valley Sci-tech City [Photo/WeChat account of Optics Valley of China]

The Wuhan metropolitan area coordinated development office officially released a three-year action plan (2023-2025) for the area on Feb 28.

The document stated that by 2025, the metropolitan area;s regional GDP is expected to reach 4 trillion yuan ($580 billion yuan), with the annual growth to remain at 6.5 percent, and the per capita GDP is set to exceed 120,000 yuan. Meanwhile, the area's urbanization rate among permanent residents is about to hit 78 percent.

Wuhan, Ezhou, Huangshi and Huanggang will comprise the core development area of the Wuhan metropolitan area, while Xianning will mainly devote itself to environmental improvement.

The construction of railways, roads, ports, airports and other transport infrastructure in the metropolitan area will be prioritized, and a modern comprehensive transit system will be established.

China (Hubei) Pilot Free Trade Zone Wuhan Area [Photo/WeChat account of Optics Valley of China]

In addition, high-level opening up will be pursued, and efforts will be made to advance the development of free trade zones, comprehensive bonded zones and cross-border e-commerce pilot zones within the Wuhan metropolitan area.

By 2025, the public service system concerning education, social insurance, mass fitness and medical care will be further completed, and people will more easily be able to enjoy the convenient and standardized public services.