On Sept 20, the 2024 China Small and Medium-Sized Cities High-Quality Development Index Report was released. All four counties under Nantong's jurisdiction made the 2024 list of China's top 100 counties in comprehensive strength, with Rugao and Qidong securing spots in the top 20, ranking 18th and 20th, respectively. Hai'an and Rudong followed closely at 28th and 33rd.

The index aims to objectively assess the high-quality development of small and medium-sized cities, summarize common development patterns, and explore development pathways. The report is the result of 20 years of in-depth research by the China Small and Medium-Sized Cities Development Index Research Group and Guo Xin Small and Medium Cities Index Research Institute.

The comprehensive strength index evaluates cities across five key areas: economic development, innovation-driven growth, ecological environment, people's well-being, and urban-rural governance.