The fifth Nantong Entrepreneurs Convention and Nantong Private Economy Convention commence on May 21. [Photo/Nantong Daily]

The fifth Nantong Entrepreneurs Convention and Nantong Private Economy Convention were held in Nantong, East China's Jiangsu province, on May 21, local media outlets reported.

The events saw the participation of more than 600 guests, including academicians, representatives of Nantong businesspeople at home and abroad, and persons in charge of universities and institutes.

Huang Wei, academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and vice-minister of Science and Technology, delivered a speech at the events.

He said that as a native of Nantong, he feels proud and inspired by his hometown's progress every time he returns home.

Huang suggested that to achieve further development, the city should pursue innovation-driven development, attach significant attention to high-profile talent, support higher education, and build more world-class advanced manufacturing industrial clusters.

Nantong should integrate into the Shanghai metropolitan area and strengthen the construction of transport infrastructure connecting Shanghai and southern Jiangsu, he added.

Wu Xinming, Party secretary of Nantong, welcomed the participants and noted that Nantong-born entrepreneurs are the heart of the city's private economy and have become the city's calling card.

Wu shared Nantong's strategic opportunities, industrial foundations, and business environment, saying that the city boasts robust development and huge investment potential.

He also said that local authorities will provide strong support for people starting businesses in Nantong.

The events also witnessed the signing of agreements on 40 projects with a combined planned investment of 41.8 billion yuan ($5.92 billion).