Xu Huimin, mayor of Nantong in East China's Jiangsu province, met attendees of the 4th International Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle Congress on Sept 25. The congress is to be held in Rugao on Sept 26- 28.

Chen Jun, secretary-general of Nantong municipal people's government and officials from Rugao -- including Zhang Jianhua, He Yijun, Ma Jinhua, and Gu Liuzhong -- participated in the meeting.

During the meeting with delegates, Xu gave a briefing on the economic and social development of Nantong -- and said that Nantong has been committed to developing its new energy and new energy vehicle industries over the recent years.

Xu said Rugao is committed to the hydrogen vehicle sector and has laid a foundation in research and development of the sector. He hoped that attendees would strengthen their cooperation with the city in the hydrogen vehicle industry and said the city would provide every possible support for their cooperation.

Several attendees expressed their intention to invest in Rugao in the hydrogen vehicle sector at the meeting, hoping to seek mutual growth.

Rugao started to develop its hydrogen energy sector in 2010.

It has since become home to nearly 30 hydrogen companies engaged in hydrogen energy storage and transportation, fuel cells, fuel cell vehicles and more -- making it one of the earliest areas in China to develop a local hub for the hydrogen energy industry.

Rugao has opened a hydrogen fuel cell bus line and it is currently focusing on the research and development of hydrogen fuel cell logistics vehicles and passenger vehicles.

The city started building a hydrogen energy town in October last year, determined to develop itself into a leading international hydrogen energy industrial cluster.

Last year, Rugao's hydrogen energy sector generated annual sales of 5 billion yuan ($701.13 million), a year-on-year increase of 66 percent.

The city also released policies to support the development of the hydrogen energy industry and aims to become a leader in China's hydrogen energy sector.