Underwater robots developed by the Advanced Ocean Institute of Southeast University Nantong. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Nantong is committed to high-quality development, with innovation and openness as key pillars to enhance its economic resilience.

In recent years, the city has significantly increased its research investment intensity, reaching a record high in the number of high-tech enterprises. During the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30), with the accelerated commercialization of research findings, Nantong is set to rapidly emerge as a modern industrial hub focused on global scientific and technological frontiers.

Amid a new wave of sci-tech revolution reshaping the global economic landscape and innovation ecosystem, the city's strategy to concentrate on cutting-edge sectors and intensify technology-focused investment is crucial for fostering and expanding new growth drivers.

Centered on industrial demand, Nantong is accelerating the development of key laboratories, engineering research centers, and corporate technology centers. It is also developing high-level platforms to build a comprehensive innovation system that encompasses basic research, technological breakthroughs and industrial transformation.

Currently, the city has established 40 cooperation platforms with top universities and research institutes such as Tsinghua University, Peking University, and Shanghai Jiao Tong University. It is also home to more than 900 research institutions at or above the provincial level.

Construction has begun on Nantong's first major science facility — a polar and extreme environment simulation experiment facility — providing foundational support for breakthroughs in future industries.

By integrating science and education, Nantong is bridging the gap between "innovation sources" and "talent supply". The Nantong government and Nantong University have jointly built a demonstration zone, including schools of microelectronics and artificial intelligence. The city is consolidating its foundation for innovative development through deep collaboration between education and technology.

Nantong's China Dieshiqiao International Home Textiles market is a hub of global commerce, bustling year-round with merchants from diverse backgrounds and languages.

Supported by intelligent production lines with precise quality control and a well-developed overseas warehouse network, the market maintains close trade links with more than 130 countries and regions.

As a world-class home textile center, it exemplifies the continuous improvement in quality and efficiency of Nantong's open economy platforms.

Despite facing a complex and challenging external environment, Nantong has maintained stable foreign trade and investment, enhancing the quality and efficiency of its open economy. The city boasts four national-level economic and technological development zones, one State-level high-tech industrial zone, 15 provincial-level development zones, one comprehensive bonded zone, and three provincial-level international cooperation parks.

In 2025, Nantong's import and export volume reached a record 440.73 billion yuan ($64.3 billion), marking a year-on-year increase of 12.3 percent. The export share of mechanical, electrical, and high-tech products continues to rise, with significant growth seen in trade with ASEAN member states and the countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative.

Amid volatile global trade conditions, this milestone signifies a profound transformation in Nantong's foreign trade: shifting from volume expansion to quality and efficiency improvement, and from isolated breakthroughs to systematic empowerment.

Nantong has also deepened reforms to facilitate foreign investment. It has organized an overseas promotion event featuring renowned brands for six consecutive years, holding 35 promotions and serving more than 800 enterprises.

Established in 2024, Nantong Foreign Trade Group offers a comprehensive import and export service system for small, medium and micro enterprises. "We address the pain points of financing difficulties and high risks for small enterprises going global by offering diverse solutions, including business consulting, risk compliance, financial support, and logistics services," said Chen Wei, general manager of the group.

In just over a year, the group has achieved independent imports and exports of 850 million yuan and facilitated 1.8 billion yuan in related trade, effectively lowering the threshold for SMEs to enter global markets.

Industrial digitalization has injected new momentum into traditional foreign trade. Nantong has established seven municipal-level cross-border e-commerce industrial parks and cultivated 31 overseas warehouses.

The city's cross-border product selection exhibition, held for four consecutive sessions, has evolved from a trial platform with dozens of participants into an annual flagship event attracting nearly 300 enterprises seeking access to global marketing channels.

Looking ahead, Nantong aims to elevate its foreign trade even further. The city will continue to optimize its product mix, foster emerging industries, expand new markets, and deepen integration between cross-border e-commerce and industrial clusters, thus developing a new highland for the open economy.