An aerial view of Rugao in Nantong. [Photo/WeChat account: rugaofabu]

Rugao was ranked 22th among China's top 100 counties in terms of economic development in 2021, according to a list released by CCID Consulting, a scientific research institute directly attached to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, on Aug 4.

Rugao had the highest position out of the four Nantong localities that made the list. The other places were Qidong, Hai'an and Rudong.

CCID Consulting adopted a new evaluation system this year which is centered on innovative, coordinated, green, open and shared development, and comprising 24 indexes in four aspects: economic strength, growth potential, prosperity, and ecofriendly development.

The regional gross domestic product of Rugao has grown at an average rate of 9.7 percent since 2016, hitting 130.5 billion yuan ($20.18 billion) in 2020, up 5.3 percent year-on-year.

The taxable sales revenue of the industry exceeded 170 billion yuan and that of the service sector surpassed 180 billion yuan.

The output of strategic emerging industries and high-tech industries accounted for 32.3 percent and 40 percent respectively of the total output of companies above designated size, which are those with an annual revenue of 200 million yuan and more.

In addition, four provincial-level industrial clusters and three productive service industry demonstration zones were established during the 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-20).