A night view of the Shanghai-Suzhou-Nantong Yangtze River Bridge in Nantong, East China's Jiangsu province. [Photo/IC]

Nantong in East China's Jiangsu province has made strides in seeking integrated development with Shanghai and cities in southern Jiangsu over the past decade.

As one of China's first 14 coastal cities that were opened to international commerce, Nantong is adjacent to Chongming Island in Shanghai and is separated from Suzhou in Jiangsu by the Yangtze River.

To date, Nantong has forged partnerships with Shanghai and cities in southern Jiangsu in 16 industries. In the past three years, the city introduced 500 projects invested by enterprises in southern Jiangsu and Shanghai. Each of these projects was worth over 100 million yuan.

In addition, Nantong has been cooperating with Shanghai and cities in southern Jiangsu in port operations. The goal is to establish an international port cluster in the Yangtze River Delta, a region encompassing the provinces of Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui and Shanghai municipality.

In July, the Suzhou chamber of commerce in Nantong was established. The chamber's inauguration witnessed the inking of 20 cooperation projects with a total investment of 11.8 billion yuan ($1.64 billion).

Earlier in September, construction of the Haimen-Taicang tunnel under the Yangtze River, which links Nantong to Suzhou, started.

Residents in Nantong are enjoying dividends brought by Nantong's cooperation with Shanghai and cities in southern Jiangsu.

This year, Nantong signed a cooperation agreement with the Shanghai Medical College Fudan University to build a regional medical center in the city.

A bird's view of Nantong, East China's Jiangsu province. [Photo/Nantong Daily]