Development and achievement of NETDA

A panorama of Nantong Economic and Technological Development Area. [Photo provided to en.nantong.gov.cn]

Nantong Economic and Technological Development Area (NETDA) was among the first group of 14 national-level economic and technological development zones in China. It was established on Dec 19, 1984 upon the approval of the central government. Situated in the southeast of the Nantong downtown area, the development zone covers a total area of 184 square kilometers and is home to 300,000 permanent residents.

Thanks to the Suzhou-Nantong Yangtze River Bridge, the largest cable-stayed bridge in the world, and the Chongming-Qidong Bridge, an eastern coastal bridge which crosses over the Yangtze River, the development zone has become fully integrated into Shanghai's one-hour economic circle. 

In 2024, NETDA achieved a regional GDP growth of approximately ‌6.9 percent‌, with a general public budget revenue of ‌7 billion yuan ($963.89 million)‌ and a year-on-year increase of ‌6.08 percent‌. Total sales reached ‌390.67 billion yuan‌, up ‌6.3 percent year-on-year and ranking third citywide‌.

The area successfully signed ‌agreements on 64 major projects‌ with a cumulative investment of 58.47 billion yuan and individual investments of ‌500 million yuan‌ or $‌30 million. In 2025, NETDA aims to attract over 80 major projects, including ‌five projects‌ with investments of more than ‌5 billion yuan‌ or $‌300 million, and achieve actual foreign direct investment utilization exceeding $600 million‌‌.

The development zone has spared no effort to promote economic internationalization. Many companies have globally-leading technological and production capacities. They are separated into six major industrial clusters: modern equipment manufacturing, new materials, new medicine, new energy, modern textiles, and service outsourcing. The development zone has grown into an advanced manufacturing base utilizing foreign investment in the Yangtze River Delta area as well as a key industrial base in Shanghai's one-hour economic circle.