Haimen district in Nantong is planning to build its waterfront area along the Yangtze River into a hub for scientific and technological innovation, local media outlets reported.

Boasting over 60 kilometers of shoreline along the country's longest river, the district plans to take full advantage of its geography and further integrate into the Yangtze River Delta region, with sci-tech innovation as a major driver. 

A "one belt and two cores" initiative had been proposed, said Huang Wei, director of the district's science and technology bureau.

Huang explained that "one belt" refers to an industrial innovation belt along the river, which will take advantage of local sci-tech institutes, including a lab for marine engineering equipment, a research institute for luxury cruise ships, and a sci-tech park co-built with Fudan University to promote the commercialization of research results. 

"Two cores" refers to two industrial clusters for industrial internet and biological medicine, respectively, at the Jiangong Lake Scientific Innovation Center and the Linglongwan Makers' Center.

The district's sci-tech park in the waterfront area is currently home to more than 200 bio-medicine companies, including four academicians and more than 60 talented overseas returnees. 

Taxable sales revenue of companies in the park has seen annual growth of more than 40 percent since 2018.

In addition, emerging industries such as 5G communications and applications, new energy, new materials, and advanced equipment manufacturing have also gathered in the area, injecting strong momentum into its innovative development.