Wang Hui, acting mayor of the city, delivered a work report for the municipal government on Jan 7. [Photo by Ding Congrong/For chinadaily.com.cn]

Over the past year, a total of 139 industrial projects with more than 1 billion yuan each in investment were launched in Nantong. More than 20 projects with more than 10 billion yuan in investment and involving tissues, textiles, steel, new materials, shipping, and new energy vehicles were signed or launched.

A number of research centers co-founded by Nantong and leading institutes such as Peking University and the Chinese Academy of Sciences have also set up operations in the city.

Railways linking Nanjing and Qidong, expressways connecting Hai'an with Qidong and Wuxi with Nantong, and a new terminal at the Xingdong International Airport have become operational. A new airport and several new high-speed railway lines are also being planned.

The work report also included goals for 2020. Wang noted that this year 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.

The city aims to keep the growth rate of regional GDP above 6.5 percent in 2020, while public budget revenue, fixed-asset investment, and total retail sales of consumer goods are expected to increase 2.6 percent, 6 percent, and 7 percent, respectively.

Wang stated that at this key moment, the government should face challenges head on and stay focused on high-quality development.

"Let's build Nantong into a strategic fulcrum of the Yangtze River Economic Belt," Wang said at the end of the report, expressing high hopes for the future of the city.