The cross-sea channel linking Shanghai with Zhoushan and Ningbo in Zhejiang province was recently included in a plan for integrated transportation development in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) region issued by the National Development and Reform Commission and Ministry of Transportation, after being included in a State Council plan for YRD integration last year.

It has also been included in the spatial plan of Pudong New Area (2017-2035) and the three-year transportation improvement plan (2020-2022) of Lingang New Area of China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone.

The channel plays a vital role in boosting the city's development and integrating the YRD. It is one of the province's 10 major projects worth more than 100 billion yuan ($14.12 billion).

The city aims to have the channel included in the country's national development plan, according to the city's annual government work report delivered several days ago.

Related planning and research on the project began in September 2016.