40 Years On | NHIZ shows impressive growth through innovative development

Since December 2013, the Nantong National High-tech Industrial Development Zone (NHIZ) has been upgraded to a national-level high-tech zone and remained steadfast in pursuing a strategy of innovation-driven development.

Building on local resources, industrial foundations, and research conditions, the zone has witnessed a remarkable transformation in terms of economic output, industrial development, and innovation capabilities.

In 2023, within NHIZ, four enterprises were recognized as potential unicorn companies, ten as gazelle companies, and five as provincial-level engineering technology research centers, positioning it at the forefront among provincial-level and above development zones in the city.

The dominant industries in the zone have evolved from textiles and electronics to a distinctive industrial structure centered around automotive components, next-generation information technology, and high-end intelligent equipment manufacturing. In 2023, the combined output of the three major industries in the zone accounted for 76.4 percent of its total industrial output.

NHIZ has also been granted various national designations, including the National Torch Nantong High-tech Zone Automotive Parts Industrial Base, National Intellectual Property Protection Demonstration Park, National Expert Service Base, National Postdoctoral Research Workstation, and a pilot unit for the second batch of national science and technology service industry demonstration zones.

In 2023, the high-tech industry in the zone accounted for 79.43 percent of the total industrial output, surpassing the city average by 30 percentage points and ranking in the top ten in the province's comprehensive evaluation of innovative development in high-tech zones.