Frontiers in Business, Economics and Management ISSN: 2766-824X | Vol. 15, No. 2, 2024 340 Study on Twinning Cooperation among Cities in the Yangtze River Delta to Help Promote Economic Growth in Less Developed Regions Jiayi Xu 1, Han Yu 2, Liming Qiu 3, Zhengkang Chen 2 1 School of International Trade and Economics, Anhui University of Finance and Economics, Bengbu233000, China 2 School of Accounting, Anhui University of Finance and Economics, Bengbu233000, China 3 School of Finance, Anhui University of Finance and Economics, Bengbu233000, China Abstract: Taking the model of city twinning cooperation and assistance in the Yangtze River Delta region as a perspective, this study thoroughly explores the role and mechanism of this model in promoting economic growth in less developed regions. Through empirical analysis and case studies, this study finds that twinning cooperation and assistance not only enhances the industrial level and technological innovation capacity of less developed regions, but also significantly promotes the optimization of local economic structure and the enhancement of economic growth rate. The article concludes with policy recommendations to further optimize the mode of twinning cooperation and assistance, with a view to providing theoretical support and practical guidance for promoting coordinated regional development. Keywords: Yangtze River Delta, Twinning cooperation, Assistance, Less developed regions, Economic growth. 1. Introduction As an important engine of China's economic development, the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) region has always been at the forefront of the country in terms of the speed and quality of its economic growth. However, within the YRD region, the economic development among cities is not balanced and there are certain differences. In order to promote coordinated regional development and narrow the regional development gap, the YRD region has implemented a series of twinning cooperation and assistance policies, aiming to promote the economic growth and optimization of the industrial structure of less developed regions through cooperation and assistance between cities. This study aims to explore in depth the mechanism of the influence of the Yangtze River Delta city twinning cooperation and assistance model on the economic growth of less developed regions, analyze its role in promoting economic growth, optimizing the industrial structure, and enhancing the capacity of technological innovation, with a view to providing theoretical support and practical guidance for the coordinated development of the region. 2. The Yangtze River Delta city Twinning Cooperation and Help Mode Analysis The model of twinning cooperation and assistance between cities in the Yangtze River Delta is mainly based on the principle of government-led and market-operated, and jointly promotes the economic development of underdeveloped regions through the cooperation of the governments, enterprises and societies of the cities on both sides of the twinning. The model has the following characteristics: 2.1. Government-led, Multi-Party Participation Twinning cooperation and assistance is led by the governments of the two places, through policy guidance, financial support, project docking and other ways to promote cooperation between the twinned cities. At the same time, enterprises, social organizations and other parties are encouraged to participate, forming a good situation in which the government, market and society work together. 2.2. Resource Sharing and Complementary Advantages Twinning cooperation and assistance emphasizes resource sharing and complementary advantages, and the optimal allocation and efficient use of resources is achieved through industrial cooperation, technological innovation and talent training in both cities. 2.3. Market-oriented Operation, Focusing on Effectiveness Twinning cooperation and assistance focus on market- oriented operation, follow the laws of the market, and promote the landing and implementation of cooperation projects through market mechanisms. At the same time, focusing on the effectiveness of cooperation, to ensure that cooperation projects can really promote the economic growth and optimization of industrial structure in less developed regions. 3. Mechanisms for the Impact of Twinning Cooperation and Assistance on Economic Growth in Less Developed Regions 3.1. Industrial Collaboration and Upgrading Twinning cooperation and assistance promotes the industrial upgrading and transformation of less developed regions through the introduction of advanced industries and technologies from developed regions. On the one hand, developed regions help less developed regions to develop new 341 industries through investment in factories and technology transfer; on the other hand, less developed regions take advantage of the twinning cooperation to learn from the industrial development experience and technological innovation achievements of developed regions, so as to enhance their own industrial competitiveness and sustainable development capability. 3.2. Technological Innovation and Talent Cultivation Twinning cooperation and assistance can help promote technological innovation and talent cultivation in less developed regions. The technological innovation achievements and advanced management experience of developed regions can be introduced into less developed regions through twinning cooperation, so as to enhance the local technological innovation capacity and management level. At the same time, twinning cooperation can also promote the exchange and cooperation of talents between the two places, providing talent support and intellectual guarantee for less developed regions. 3.3. Capital Flows and Resource Integration Twinning cooperation and assistance helps to promote the flow of capital and the integration of resources between the two regions. Developed regions can provide financial support to less developed regions through investment and financing, promoting local infrastructure construction, industrial development and social endeavors. In addition, twinning cooperation can also promote the integration and optimal allocation of resources between the two regions and improve the efficiency of resource utilization. 4. Case Studies The Yangtze River Delta (YRD) region is one of the regions in China with the most active economic development, the highest degree of openness and the strongest innovative capacity. However, there is also the problem of unbalanced economic development within the YRD, with some regions being relatively underdeveloped. In order to promote the economic growth of these underdeveloped regions, cities in the YRD have adopted the strategy of pairing up and cooperating to help each other. 4.1. Specific Cases of Twinning and Cooperative Support 4.1.1. Twinning Cooperation between Minhang District, Shanghai and Huainan City, Anhui Province Twinning situation: According to the "Shanghai, Suzhou and Zhejiang City Twinning Cooperation to Help Cities in Northern Anhui", Minhang District of Shanghai and Huainan City of Anhui Province carry out twinning cooperation. Content of cooperation: The two sides focus on industrial collaboration, scientific and technological innovation, talent training and other aspects of in-depth cooperation, Minhang District to provide technical support and market channels to help Huainan City to enhance the level of industrial development. Evaluation of effectiveness: Through the cooperation, the industrial structure of Huainan City has been optimized and the economic growth rate has been significantly accelerated, and at the same time, Minhang District has been provided with broader market space and resource support. 4.1.2. Twinning Cooperation between Nanjing, Jiangsu Province and Chuzhou, Anhui Province Twinning: Nanjing and Chuzhou City have established a twinning relationship aimed at promoting the common economic and social development of the two places. Cooperation initiatives: Nanjing has given strong support to Chuzhou City in terms of industrial transfer, park co- construction and technical exchanges, which has promoted the deep integration of the two industrial chains. Economic growth: With Nanjing's help, Chuzhou City has experienced strong economic growth and flourishing new industries, effectively narrowing the gap with other developed regions in the Yangtze River Delta. 4.1.3. Twinning Cooperation between Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province and Suzhou City, Anhui Province Background of Twinning: As an important city in the northern Anhui region, Cebu City has great potential for economic development, but there is still a certain gap compared with the developed areas in the Yangtze River Delta. Focus of cooperation: Hangzhou and Suzhou City have launched in-depth cooperation in the fields of e-commerce industry and tourism industry, helping Suzhou City to build new economic growth points. Development results: Through twinning cooperation, Cebu City's e-commerce industry and tourism industry have been developed rapidly, and the city's popularity and influence have been continuously improved. 4.2. Case summary and Analysis As can be seen from the above cases, twinning cooperation and assistance among cities in the Yangtze River Delta has achieved remarkable results in promoting economic growth in less developed regions. This mode of cooperation is not only conducive to optimizing resource allocation and promoting industrial transfer and upgrading, but also promotes coordinated regional development and narrows the development gap between regions. At the same time, the twinning cooperation and assistance has also brought new development opportunities and impetus to the less developed regions and promoted the sustainable development of the local economy. In order to further deepen the Yangtze River Delta city twinning cooperation and support mechanism, it is recommended to strengthen communication and coordination between governments to ensure effective implementation of policies; at the same time, encourage enterprises and all sectors of society to actively participate in the twinning cooperation and support work, so as to form a favorable atmosphere for the whole society to jointly promote the economic development of less developed regions. Looking ahead, as the integration process of the Yangtze River Delta accelerates, twinning cooperation and assistance will play an even more important role in promoting coordinated regional development and realizing common prosperity. 5. Policy Recommendations 5.1. Increase Project Investment to Promote Infrastructure Integration In order to promote economic growth in less developed regions, the first priority is to strengthen infrastructure development. The Yangtze River Delta city cluster should plan and invest in major infrastructure projects in a unified manner, especially in key areas such as transportation, 342 communications and water conservancy. By increasing investment in the projects, the infrastructure conditions of the less developed regions can be rapidly improved, enhancing their logistics efficiency and information transfer capacity. At the same time, the integration of infrastructure will help to narrow the development gap between regions and promote the balanced development of the entire YRD region. 5.2. Optimize Regional Industrial Structure and Lead Industrial Transformation and Upgrading The economic growth of less developed regions is often limited by their traditional industrial structure. Therefore, the Yangtze River Delta city cluster should utilize its strong economic power and scientific and technological innovation capabilities to guide and assist less developed regions in industrial transformation and upgrading. This includes introducing new industries such as high-tech industries and modern service industries, while transforming and upgrading traditional industries. By optimizing the industrial structure, less developed regions can form a more competitive industrial system and thus achieve sustainable economic growth. 5.3. Deepening Regional Cooperation to Realize Resource Sharing and Complementarity of Advantages Cities in the Yangtze River Delta city cluster should further deepen their cooperation, break down administrative barriers and realize resource sharing and complementary advantages. Through the mechanism of twinning cooperation and assistance, developed cities can provide less developed regions with support in terms of capital, technology and talents, while less developed regions can utilize their resource advantages to provide the necessary support to developed cities. This mode of cooperation will help to enhance the comprehensive competitiveness of the entire Yangtze River Delta region and promote the common prosperity of all regions. 5.4. Adjusting Fiscal Policies to Provide Strong Policy Support The Government should support the economic development of less developed regions by adjusting fiscal and tax policies. For example, it can increase the financial transfer payments to less developed regions to reduce their financial pressure; at the same time, it can also give less developed regions more tax incentives to attract more business investment. In addition, the Government can set up special funds to support industrial development and scientific and technological innovation in less developed regions. 5.5. Promoting the Equalization of Public Services and Enhancing the Attractiveness of Less Developed Regions In order to attract more talent and capital to the less developed regions, the Government should be committed to promoting the equalization of public services. This includes upgrading the level of public services such as education, health care and culture in less developed regions and improving the quality of life of their residents. By providing quality public services, less developed regions can enhance their attractiveness to talent and capital, thereby injecting new vitality into their economic growth. 5.6. Establishment of Efficient Cooperation and Communication Mechanisms to Ensure Policy Implementation To ensure the effective implementation of the above policies, the YRD city cluster should establish an efficient cooperation and communication mechanism. Regular economic cooperation meetings should be held among the cities to exchange and assess the progress of twinning cooperation and assistance. At the same time, an information sharing platform should be set up to release the economic development dynamics and policy information of each region in a timely manner. Through an efficient cooperation and communication mechanism, we can ensure the effective implementation of policies and promote the collaborative development of the YRD city cluster. 6. Conclusion First, through twinning cooperation and assistance between cities, the economic growth of less developed regions has been significantly enhanced. This mode of cooperation effectively integrates the resources of each region and realizes complementarity of advantages, thus promoting the economic development of less developed regions. Specifically, by providing support in terms of capital, technology and talents, developed cities have helped less developed regions to upgrade their industrial development, improve their infrastructure and attract more investment, thereby promoting economic growth. Secondly, twinning cooperation and assistance has not only brought about economic growth, but also promoted the optimization and upgrading of the industrial structure of less developed regions. Through the introduction of advanced technology and management experience, the traditional industries in the less developed regions have been transformed and upgraded, while new industries have been cultivated and developed. This optimization and upgrading of industrial structure not only improves the economic strength of the less developed regions, but also enhances their capacity for sustainable development. Lastly, the practice of twinning cities in the Yangtze River Delta to cooperate and help each other provides experience for other regions to draw on. It is an important way to promote coordinated regional development by constructing an effective cooperation mechanism, clarifying the responsibilities and obligations of all parties, and realizing the sharing of resources and mutual benefits. This model of cooperation can be extended to other regions, especially those with unbalanced and inadequate economic development, in order to promote the economic development and social progress of the country as a whole. 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