A signing ceremony for 20 projects cooperated between Nantong and Wuxi is held on July 28. [Photo/wxrb.com]

A total of 20 projects costing over 35 billion yuan ($5 billion) from Wuxi will be carried out in Nantong, Jiangsu province, as was agreed during a promotional event held on July 28.

The event, entitled the Tongzhou Bay New Estuary (Wuxi) Cross Yangtze River Integrated Development Seminar, was sponsored by the government of Nantong and held in Wuxi. It was meant to promote plans for Nantong's Tongzhou Bay and deepen cooperation between the two cities.

Located in the eastern coastal area of Tongzhou, the Tongzhou Bay is an ideal destination to build a deep-water port in Jiangsu province, which can help the province improve its port capacity, according to Nantong Mayor Wang Hui.

The planning land area of Tongzhou Bay covers 210 square kilometers, while the port itself will cover an area of 97.9 square kilometers. It will have 86.3 kilometers of coastline, said Wang.

Wuxi Mayor Du Xiaogang was optimistic about cooperation with Nantong under the integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta region. The two cities signed a cooperation agreement in April to take advantage of their strong and unique industries and try to develop their economies, talent, culture, tourism, and environmental protection.

Deals focusing on intelligent equipment, new energy, and new materials are expected to enjoy preferential policies and a high-quality business environment, according to officials from Nantong.