Nantong officials say the Three Bases project will develop key industrial centers for manufacturing, the services sector and agriculture in urban areas, to better serve Shanghai's industry.

To further support the industry of its bigger brother, Nantong is also planning the construction of an advanced industrial development base, cultural tourism and leisure base and agricultural products market services base.

Lu Zhipeng, Party chief of Nantong, said the key to building up Nantong as the "north gate of Shanghai" is emphasizing the interconnections of traffic, complementary urban functions, coordinated industries, communications, culture and a common effort to protect the shared ecosystems.

He Wanpeng, chief of the Shanghai Qiantan New Industry Research Institute, said Nantong has been identified as a "valuable and vivid example" of how to undertake the transfer of a large city's industry, to create a new force for economic growth and to connect Shanghai with the world. "The industry incubated in Shanghai can be commercialized in Nantong," He said.

The city of Nantong had a rich culture and elegant atmosphere, while also had "bold genes" for innovation, He added.

Nantong's perspective is not limited by where it is located - at the mouth of Yangtze River, the northern region of Yangtze River Delta or China's eastern region, He said, adding that it also focuses on the entire country and the world.

The research institute chief said "a door of strategic significance" has now been fully opened to Nantong. Significant improvements to the city's industrial chain are occurring at a time when large scale technological innovation and its commercialization are being realized, according to He.

Officials say the business environment in Nantong is remarkable as the city embraces opportunities brought about by the nearby global innovation center in Shanghai.