The ongoing Shanghai World Expo has not only pushed the cosmopolitan city of Shanghai to the center of the world stage, but also the nearby Yangtze River Delta. Millions of visitors to the Expo are traveling to the delta's cities, with the whole region witnessing a dramatic increase in tourism. Professor Liu Zhibiao, dean of the School of Economics, and executive director of the Research Center for Yangtze River Delta Economic and Social Development at Nanjing University, talked to Expo Weekly reporter Dong Yan about the significant position of Shanghai in the Yangtze River Delta and the future of the whole region.

Expo Weekly: Compared with other economically vital regions in China, what advantages does the Yangtze River Delta possess?

Professor Liu Zhibiao, dean of the School of Economics, and executive director of the Research Center for Yangtze River Delta Economic and Social Development at Nanjing University. [File photo]

 Liu Zhibiao: The Pearl River Delta in south China and Bohai Rim Economic Circle in north China lack a core city like Shanghai. Hong Kong cannot be considered the core city of the Pearl River Delta and Beijing is not yet strong enough to propel the whole Bohai Rim Economic Circle. In this sense, the strength of the Yangtze River Delta lies in Shanghai as the core of the whole region: Shanghai boasts a well-established modern economy.

The fact is that the Yangtze River Delta has now become the center of China's manufacturing industries and its main base of export. The reason is that Shanghai is home to the headquarters of many multinational companies, creating great convenience and efficiency in business operation. Shanghai's well-developed finance, communication, logistics, education and consulting industries made it happen. If we compare the Yangtze River Delta to an egg, Shanghai is the yolk, while surrounding manufacturing cities like Nanjing, Suzhou and Hangzhou serve as the egg white.

The interaction and cooperation between Shanghai and nearby cities has helped to strengthen the competitiveness of their products and services. This is an advantage enjoyed by the whole region.