A bird's-eye view of Zhangjiagang, a picturesque port city in East China's Jiangsu province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Zhangjiagang, a county-level city in East Chna's Jiangsu Province has been listed as one of China's happiest county-level cities for 2018, according to a list released on Nov 26 in Guangzhou.

The list was sponsored by Oriental Outlook magazine. It has been composed for 12 years and more than 900 million residents across China have participated in the sampling survey, making it one of the most influential surveys in the country.

The list was based on the local residents' sense of identity, belonging, safety and satisfaction and also appraisals from other people.

Taicang, Kunshan, and Jiangyin in Jiangsu province were also included among China's top 10 "happiest county-level cities".

Zhangjiagang,a newly emerging port near Yangtze River, is one of the economically strongest county-level cities in China and has made remarkable achievements in the economy, culture, finance, commerce and trade.

A Wanda Plaza will be put into operation next month, offering local residents another shopping spot.

The city's government also signed a cooperative agreement with China Jinmao Holding Group on Aug 21, to build an exclusive commercial complex in the city's high-tech zone, which will be equipped with educational institutions, commercial complexes and healthcare services to fuel the city's further development.

Zhangjiagang plans to build a high-end commercial area with the support of Jinmao Group. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Illuminated Zhangjiagang city, East China's Jiangsu province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]