Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Zhangjiagang rolls out an array of supporting measures to help enterprises reopen, stabilize foreign trade, and revive the economy. [Photo by Pan Zhihua/chinadaily.com.cn]

The regional GDP of Zhangjiagang in Suzhou, East China's Jiangsu province, expanded 2.9 percent year-on-year to more than 190 billion yuan ($28.98 billion) in the first three quarters of this year, according to data released by the city's statistics bureau.

Statistics show that the total industrial output value of the city's enterprises above designated size was 347.2 billion yuan, a 2.8 percent year-on-year increase.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic earlier this year, Zhangjiagang has rolled out an array of supporting measures to help enterprises reopen, stabilize foreign trade, and revive the economy, which has benefited the city's social and economic development.

Data show that the city's service sector grew steadily in the first three quarters, with its profit-making service sector above designated size generating nearly 12 billion yuan in operating revenue, growing 7.5 percent year-on-year.

The cargo throughput of Zhangjiagang Port reached 187 million metric tons in the Jan-Sept period, up 6.1 percent year-on-year, while foreign trade throughput at the port increased by 10.2 percent year-on-year to 48.95 million tons.

Meanwhile, the city's actual use of foreign capital surged 64.3 percent year-on-year to $725 million in the first nine months of this year.

A series of favorable policies was also rolled out in an effort to stabilize foreign trade. Statistics show that the city's exports declined 16.8 percent year-on-year to $10.46 billion, while its imports grew 2.8 percent year-on-year to $13.94 billion.