Abstract: After the analyses of establishment reasons, development stages, and economic objectives about EU (the organization of global economic integration——European Union), the authors believe that the key for economic integration in the area of the Yangtze River Delta is the adjustment of industrial structure, based on current industrial structure and existing problems in this region. There were significant differences in the economic development levels among different subregions, although the industrialization has developed into mature stage, which is dominated by heavychemical industry and highprocessing degree manufacturers, within most of these regions. Moreover, industrial structures were characteristic of a flight of stairs, the structures of manufacturing industry were different in different areas. In addition, some industrial conglomeration was low, and the industrial transference was obstructed among subregions. Based on the above analysis, some critical strategies were put forward about how to adjust industrial structure within the area of the Yangtze River Delta. Taking advantage of Shanghai as a driving role in the Yangtze River Delta, with the help of EXPO′x 2010 Shanghai, promoting the third industry integration, accelerating the process of establishing transregion and largescale enterprises were suggestetd by the authors for the adjustment of industrial structure.

Key words: the Yangtze River Delta, economic integration, adjustment of industrial structure