Rugao, a county-level city in Nantong, Jiangsu province, is harnessing the power of high-end talent to propel its economic transformation. With three national-level postdoctoral research stations and 11 provincial-level postdoctoral innovation practice bases, the city has attracted 30 postdoctoral researchers in recent years, generating over 1 billion yuan ($137.47 million) in direct economic benefits.

One standout case is Dr Zhang Linjun, who joined Jiangsu Shemar Electric in 2022. He led the development of a new generation of green, low-carbon composite insulators for ultra-high voltage transmission, resulting in a major technological breakthrough. Over the past three years, the latest product line has generated 500 million yuan in additional revenue and 250 million yuan in export earnings.

At the postdoctoral station of Double Coin Tire Group, Dr Feng Qian developed a cost-effective tire inner liner compound that enhances air retention and forming ease. The innovation has helped reduce the per-unit cost of tires by 8 to 12 percent.

According to Hong Feng, director of the Talent Development Division at Rugao's Talent Service Center, the municipal government provides financial support to enterprises that establish new research platforms. A one-time subsidy of 500,000 yuan is allocated for newly approved national postdoctoral research stations, while branch stations are awarded 200,000 yuan. Additionally, provincial innovation practice bases can also receive a subsidy of 200,000 yuan. Throughout their tenure, postdoctoral researchers who secure national or provincial research grants are eligible for a matching fund of 70 percent from the city, in addition to a monthly living allowance of 6,000 yuan.

In 2024, Rugao's GDP surpassed 160 billion yuan. The city ranked 18th among China's top 100 county economies, saw a 1.5 percentage point rise in the proportion of output from high-tech industries, and recorded a 75 percent year-on-year increase in invention patent authorizations.