Zhangjiagang, a county-level city in Jiangsu province, ranks third among China's top 100 counties in 2021. [Photo by Lu Zhihao/WeChat account: zhangjiagangfabu365]

Zhangjiagang, a county-level city in Jiangsu province, ranked third among China's top 100 counties in 2021, following Kunshan and Jiangyin, according to a list released by CCID Consulting on Aug 4.

The list was based on the overall economic strength, growth potential, prosperity, and green development among counties in China.

Zhangjiagang, a rising port city located along the Yangtze River, has made remarkable achievements in economy, culture, finance, commerce, and trade in recent years.

Zhangjiagang's GDP in 2020 was 268.66 billion yuan ($40.30 billion). It achieved 25.03 billion yuan in its general public budgets in 2020, a 1.3 percent increase year-on-year, demonstrating its rapid economic recovery from the negative impacts caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Its per capita disposable income reached 60,600 yuan.

Its industries maintained healthy and steady growth. The total output value of industries above designated size in the city reached 481.1 billion yuan in 2020, up 4.1 percent year-on-year.

CCID Consulting Group, a firm affiliated with a think tank under the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, has been committed to studying the economy, regional development, and emerging industries in China for many years. Its ranking enjoys high credibility and authority.