A commencement ceremony for 156 industrial projects is held at the construction site of an integrated polyester manufacturing center in Rudong county. [Photo/ntjoy.com]

Construction started on 156 industrial projects in Nantong, East China's Jiangsu province, on Jan 2.

The projects, which will receive a total of 103.1 billion yuan ($14.81) in investment, including 65 emerging industrial projects, 66 advanced manufacturing projects, and 25 modern service projects.

The commencement ceremony for the projects was held at the construction site of an integrated polyester manufacturing center in Rudong county.

The project received 20 billion yuan in investment and will be capable of producing five million tons of PTA (purified terephthalic acid) and 2.4 million tons of new-type fiber every year. 

It will be the world's first production cluster for PTA, polyester, and thread.

Xu Huimin, Party secretary of Nantong, noted that 2020 is the last year of the 13th Five-Year-Plan and a decisive year in the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects.

He said that local industrial parks need to specify their dominant industries and ramp up efforts to attract investment. 

"Exhibitions for shipping and marine engineering, high-end textiles, and new-generation information technology can help promote exchange and cooperation," Xu said at the ceremony.

He also urged governments to improve services and push for reform in their administrative systems to ensure the projects are able to progress smoothly.