Business representatives from Haimen district, Nantong, and Shanghai sign cooperation agreements at a promotional conference held in Shanghai on May 31. [Photo/jschina.com.cn]

Haimen district in Nantong signed 27 project deals with a total investment of nearly 20 billion yuan ($3.13 billion) in Shanghai during a promotional conference held in the city on May 31, local media outlets reported.

The projects involve a variety of fields, including construction technology, biopharmaceuticals, and chip design. The district government also signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Shanghai University and other local sci-tech institutions to push forward cooperation in innovation and industrial development.

Statistics show that Haimen and Shanghai have maintained a long-term partnership, with 70 percent of external capital, start-up founders, and innovative talent coming from Shanghai.

Haimen boasts a healthy environment for living and doing business. The local government has been working to become a top destination in the Yangtze River Delta region for the transformation of scientific research results, said Guo Xiaomin, Party secretary of the district, at the conference.

An advanced transportation network comprising of the existing high-speed railways and the airport and Haimen-Taicang Yangtze River bridge to be built will bring the two areas even closer, Guo added.

Guo said that Haimen has prioritized cooperation with Shanghai in its development plan, aiming to become a pivotal innovation center of the YRD region.