the Yangtze Delta incorporates more than twenty relatively developed cities in three provinces. The term can be generally used to refer to the entire region extending as far north as Lianyungang, Jiangsu and as far south as Wenzhou, Zhejiang. The region includes some of the fastest-growing economies in China in recent years, and as of 2004 has occupied over 21% of China's total gross GDP. Fishing and agriculture The Yangtze Delta contains the most fertile soils in all of China. Rice is the dominant crop of the delta, but further inland fishing rivals it. In Qing Pu, 50 ponds, containing five different species of fish, produce 29,000 tons of fish each year. One of the biggest fears of fish farmers in this region is that toxic water will seep into their man-made lagoons and threaten their livelihood. Governance Yangtze Delta regional cooperation require effort from governments of Shanghai, Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Anhui and Jiangxi. They've gradually established a three-tier model of governance on increased regional cooperation: Leadership: Symposium of Governors of YRD Area (长三角地区主要领导座谈会) Coordination: Joint Conference on Cooperation and Development of YRD Area (长三角地区合作与发展联席会议) Operation: Offices of the Joint Conference (联席会议办公室) Office of YRD Regional Cooperation (长三角区域合作办公室) Specialized Task Forces (专题合作组) There is also a conference with longer history for economical cooperation: Coordinative Conference on Economy for Cities in YRD (长三角城市经济协调会, since 1992) Joint Conference of Majors (市长联席会议) Office of the Coordination Society (协调会办公室) Plans Outline of the Regional Integration Development Plan of the Yangtze River Delta Transportation The area is home to an extensive transport network. The area has one of the highest private vehicle ownership rates in China, and traffic rules governing Jiangsu, Shanghai, and Zhejiang are relatively strict compared to the rest of the country. The region contains major hubs for shipping and international trade, including the ports of Shanghai and Ningbo-Zhoushan, the world's largest container and cargo ports, respectively. The region also includes the Hangzhou Bay Bridge, which at 36 km is the world's longest cross-sea bridge, and the densest network of rapid-transport rails in the world, spread out across 12 railway lines. Climate The Yangtze Delta has a marine monsoon subtropical climate, with hot and humid summers, cool and dry winters, and warm spring and fall. Winter temperatures can drop as low as -10 °C (a record), however, and even in springtime, large temperature fluctuations can occur. References External link Economic profile for the Yangtze