People go rowing in Jiyang Lake, Zhangjiagang. [Photo/zjgonline.com.cn]

As one of the top 100 counties in China, Zhangjiagang, a county in Suzhou, Jiangsu province, has taken the lead in innovation-driven development through industrial transformation, ecological environment improvement, as well as cultural development.

Zhangjiagang plans to gather high-end equipment manufacturing enterprises to form five industrial clusters worth 100 billion yuan ($15.62 billion) each, as well as several industrial clusters worth 10 billion yuan each during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25).

For example, the application and innovation center built by Global Fortune 500 enterprise PPG Industries, Inc started operating in Zhangjiagang, while Han's Laser Technology Industry Group Co Ltd made a commitment to develop an East China headquarters and production base in the city in October.

In terms of ecological environment improvement, Zhangjiagang Bay serves as a successful example of ecological restoration, winning the recognition of the United Nations.

The library besides Jiyang Lake is one of the 40 public spaces in Zhangjiagang. [Photo/zjgonline.com.cn]

In addition, the closure of outdated production facilities and the adjustment of the industrial layout along the Yangtze River have created a greener economy in the city.

In terms of cultural development, Zhangjiagang has built more than 40 public spaces for local residents to read books and to improve cultural services.

Moreover, the city also holds the China (Zhangjiagang) Yangtze River Culture and Art Festival each year to promote cultural exchanges and economic cooperation among the cities in the Yangtze River Delta.