Zhangjiagang has paid much attention to the rejuvenation of its real economy as the avenue for building itself into a powerful port city,

In 2017, the city achieved regional GDP of 260.6 billion yuan ($ 40.6 billion), and a public budgetary revenue of 21 billion yuan.. Shagang Group, China's biggest private steel enterprise nurtured by the city, hit annual revenue of nearly 200 billion yuan, and has featured in the Fortune 500 for nine consecutive years.

The city has 20 listed companies with a total market value of nearly 300 billion yuan, ranking first among the cities and counties of Suzhou. Kangde Xin Composite Material Group Co, the biggest listed company in Suzhou, has a market value of 70 billion yuan. 

The thriving Zhangjiagang port. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]