Rugao, a county-level city in Nantong, East China's Jiangsu province, ranked 12th on the 2021 list of the top 100 counties with the most investment potential in China, local media reported May 10.

The list was created by the China Committee of 100 of Digital Economy and Urtrust Thinktank based on indicators such as achievements in investment attraction, industrial foundation, technology and talent.

An automated and intelligent workshop of HDK (Nantong) Optoelectronics Technology Co Ltd in Rugao, Nantong. [Photo/WeChat account: rugaofabu]

From January to March, total industrial taxable sales in the city reached 46.34 billion yuan ($6.84 billion), an increase of 32.07 percent, while the output value of the city's industries above designated size increased by 21.6 percent.

An employee works in a workshop of Jiangsu Lixing General Steel Ball Co Ltd. [Photo/WeChat account: rugaofabu]

To date, Rugao has fostered 17 "young eagle enterprises", 14 "gazelle enterprises" and six "future unicorn enterprises".