The Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei University Science and Technology Park Alliance and the Nantong City North Hi-Tech Zone – located in the Chongchuan district of Nantong city, in East China's Jiangsu province – on July 22 jointly held an industrial development symposium in the national capital of Beijing to promote sectors within the zone.

Nearly 100 foreign business leaders and guests from top companies, scientific research institutes, as well as representatives from entrepreneurship and innovation associations attended the event.

Zhang Binhui, director of the administrative committee of the Nantong City North Hi-Tech Zone, said that Nantong – one of the first 14 coastal cities whose economies were opened up to the world in China – last year entered the 1-trillion-yuan ($153.6 billion) GDP club.

The only high-tech industrial development zone in Nantong's urban area, it is currently speeding up its development of a "3+1" industrial system – focusing on automotive electronics, integrated circuits, the life and health sector and the online economy – and it has become a hot spot for foreign businesspeople to start up companies and upgrade industries, Zhang added.

Zhang invited entrepreneurs to come to and invest in the zone, which has committed itself to providing a top business environment and strong policy support for resident enterprises.

Wu Taibin, deputy secretary of the Party working committee of the zone, made a presentation on the streamlined business environment and the improved industrial policies.

Six major projects signed up to move to the zone at the event – engaged in integrated circuits, as well as in the life and health sector and in setting up entrepreneurship incubation platforms.