A rendering of Tongzhou Bay [Photo/ntjoy.com]

Zenith Steel Group Co signed a cooperation agreement with the Haimen government on Jan 18 to establish an environmentally-friendly steel production center in the Haimen port area of Tongzhou Bay.

Officials said the move was in response to the provincial government's call for the transformation and upgrading of the iron and steel industry.

According to the agreement, the Changzhou-based steel group will take full advantage of Nantong's convenient location and logistics capacity to build a high-quality steel industrial center focused on intelligent manufacturing, environmental friendliness, and sustainable development.

In recent years, the Nantong government has been placing importance on the development of the Tongzhou Bay area, the area along the Yangtze River, and the Huanghai Sea, including Yangkou Port in Rudong county, Haimen Port in Haimen, and Lyusi Port in Qidong.

Officials said a comprehensive layout for ports, industrial parks, and transportation networks will be formulated to strengthen the area’s capacity in industrial production, logistics, trade, finance, and information services.

A deep-water port will also be built in the area to accelerate Jiangsu's efforts to develop an integrated transportation network consisting of river and sea channels. Construction is expected to begin at Lyusi Port in late June and be completed by the end of 2021.

Yin Jianyong, director of Nantong's development and reform commission, said the development of the area will support the further opening-up of the Yangtze River Economic Belt, regional economic development, and environmental protection.