Promised Pan Pearl prosperity still a dream

For some inland provinces, the prosperity promised by the Pan Pearl River Delta economic zone established last year has not been delivered, the South China Morning Post reported, citing academics and Pearl River project observers. The much-heralded "9+2" was launched as an economic engine to integrate the region and its industries and improve people's livelihoods. The parties are Hong Kong, Macau, Guangdong, Fujian, Jiangxi, Hunan, Guangxi, Guizhou, Yunnan, Sichuan and Hainan provinces. One academic called the grandiose plan and conferences to promote it "still at an exploratory stage."