The gross regional product of Tongzhou district, Nantong, reached 46.05 billion yuan ($6.79 billion) in the first quarter, up 5.7 percent year-on-year, marking a strong start to 2026 for the local economy.

The district's industrial invoice sales from January to March totaled 52.06 billion yuan, up 19.4 percent year-on-year and ranking first in Nantong. The value-added output of enterprises above the designated size rose by 10 percent. In comparison, that of enterprises below the designated size grew by 7.4 percent, the highest in the city.

Eight key industrial chains contributed over 81 percent of the district's total industrial output during the Jan-March period. Within these, emerging sectors in artificial intelligence, new energy, and semiconductor posted particularly strong gains, with output increases of 56.49 percent, 115.53 percent, and 39.5 percent, respectively.

Twenty-two industrial projects, each worth 100 million yuan or more, broke ground in Tongzhou during the first quarter, with a combined planned investment of 5.07 billion yuan.

Total retail sales of consumer goods in Tongzhou reached 13.54 billion yuan in the first three months, up 6.7 percent year-on-year. The wholesale sector recorded the fastest turnover growth in the city, while retail came in second — a clear sign of recovering domestic demand.

Tongzhou district, Nantong. [Photo/WeChat account: wxtzfb]