Zhangjiagang in Suzhou, East China's Jiangsu province, ranks second among the country's county-level cities in economic competitiveness. [Photo/zjgonline.com.cn]

Zhangjiagang in Suzhou, East China's Jiangsu province, ranked second among the country's county-level cities in economic competitiveness, according to an evaluation report released Dec 16.

The report, which was based on economic power, urban and rural incomes, investment growth and green development, says that Zhangjiagang has become a leader in the country's characteristic development among counties.

Statistics show that the regional GDP of Zhangjiagang exceeded 190 billion yuan ($29 billion) in the first three quarters of the year, an increase of 2.9 percent year-on-year, and its growth rate was higher than the provincial average level. The per capita disposable income of the city's residents expanded 4 percent year-on-year to 45,742 yuan.

The gross industrial output value above designated size in Zhangjiagang totaled 390 billion yuan from January to October, growing by 3.7 percent year-on-year, 1.2 percentage points higher than Suzhou's average, while its added value of the manufacturing sector accounted for 45 percent of its regional GDP, ranking third in Suzhou.

Additionally, Zhangjiagang witnessed steady growth in attracting investment in 2020. A total of 68 projects worth 61.5 billion yuan were signed at the 2020 China (Zhangjiagang) Business Week held in the city in October. Fifty projects in Zhangjiagang in smart manufacturing, financial investment and city-industry integration with a total investment of 43 billion yuan were signed in Shanghai July 15.

The city has also ramped up efforts to pursue high-quality development, aiming to develop into a modern and livable city and create a moderately prosperous society. More than 80 percent of the city's government fiscal expenditures were spent to improve people's lives, especially in education and medical care.

Efforts have also been made to protect the environment and restore the Yangtze River ecosystem, and a more environment-friendly development framework has initially taken shape in the city.