China's emerging metropolitan area, the Chengdu-Chongqing Twin City Region, is a key transportation hub of China's Belt and Road Initiative. The government has rolled out a blueprint to boost the development of this region and turn it into a new pole of economic growth in its vast and land-locked southwest. Yang Jinghao has more.

This company specializes in making different lemon-based products through modern technology. Situated in Tongnan District of Chongqing, it's one of the largest of its kind in the country.

And its lemons are from different sources, such as the city of Suining, in the neighboring Sichuan Province.

DAI XIAOPING President, Huida Lemon Technology Group "We require our suppliers to cultivate the fruit in line with our standards, which is also the EU standard. That includes fertilization, pruning and other aspects, as many of the products are exported."

YANG JINGHAO Tongnan District, Chongqing "This small fruit is not just increasing profits. It's also bringing Tongnan and neighboring cities closer under a national development strategy."

China aims to build a new economic growth engine in its southwestern region, with Chongqing and Chengdu, Sichuan's provincial capital, at the core.

Under the blueprint, the two economic powerhouses of the region will seek integrative development and spearhead the construction of a dynamic regional city cluster.

The initiative is expected to benefit enterprises from both areas.

DAI XIAOPING President, Huida Lemon Technology Group "We'll further cooperate with our partners in Sichuan on technological innovation to process better products. We'll also put in greater efforts to build a well-known brand and explore the overseas market together."

Apart from agriculture, other industries like manufacturing, clean energy and new materials are also seeking different ways to boost cooperation.

YUAN MIN Deputy Director, Reform and Development Commission Suining City "Based on current resources, various industrial chains can be formed by involving upstream and downstream enterprises in Suining and Tongnan. We can also develop tourism together by integrating our natural and cultural resources."

Authorities have stepped up efforts to improve transport infrastructure covering land, rail and air. It's all expected to fully integrate the region.

YUAN MIN Deputy Director, Reform and Development Commission Suining City "As the strategy is pushed forward, restrictions on industrial development by current administrative boundaries will gradually be eliminated, and then real 'integration' will be realized."

The master plan, recently released by the State Council, says apart from economic development, Chengdu and Chongqing should also look to improve in other areas, including ecology and security, and avoid blind city expansion. YJH, CGTN, Sichuan Province.