A group of executives from 10 Hong Kong mainstream media outlets, including Hong Kong Commercial Daily, Hong Kong China News Agency and South China Morning Post, were invited to explore Nantong’s development through the 40 years of reform and opening-up on Nov 26.Lasting for one week, the activity was jointly organized by the publicity department of the CPC Nantong municipal committee and Hong Kong Commercial Daily to celebrate the 40th anniversary of China’s reform and opening-up. 

A group photo of the executives from 10 Hong Kong mainstream media outlets in Nantong, East China’s Jiangsu province, Nov 26 [Photo/Ntjoy]

Zhang Zhaojiang, vice secretary of the Nantong municipal committee, welcomed the group and expressed his gratitude to the Hong Kong executives for their focus and reports to Nantong. 

Zhang said that Nantong boasts superior geographic advantages and a sound industrial basis, which dates back to around 100 years ago. The city is renowned for its high-end textile, shipping and maritime engineering and electronic information industries. It’s respected in many aspects such as textile, education, architecture, longevity and sports. The city has been maintaining a sound and coordinated development of economic, social and ecological matters during recent years. 

Zhang Jieling, president of the Global Commercial Newspapers Union and general manager of Hong Kong Commercial Daily, introduced the history of Hong Kong Commercial Daily, as well as the development and the overseas influence of media convergence. 

“Nantong is a vigorous city with rapid economic and social development. Hong Kong’s media outlets hope to report more about Nantong as well as China’s great achievements and those opportunities Hong Kong has gained through the 40 years’ reform and opening-up, to promote Hong Kong integration into the development of the Chinese mainland,”  Zhang Jieling said. 

The group visited 12 representative districts, counties and industrial parks in Nantong on their trip. They visited Nantong Museum, Nantong Central Innovative Area, and Nantong Economic and Technological Development Area on Nov 26.