An overview of the Rudong Economic Development Zone. [Photo provided to nantong.gov.cn]

The Rudong Economic Development Zone in Rudong, a county in Nantong, East China's Jiangsu province, has embarked on a path of high-quality development.

Since its establishment in 1992, the 26.7-square kilometer zone has housed more than 300 industrial enterprises, including 68 high-tech ones.

The zone is now focusing on improving product quality and production efficiency by supporting local enterprises to reform their technologies and upgrade their products.

Over the past five years, the output value of high-tech industries in the Rudong Economic Development Zone accounted for more than 40 percent of that of industries above designated size.

For example, Jiangsu Roda Electron Material Co Ltd was recently listed as a little giant business, which typically specializes in niche sectors, commands high market shares and boasts strong innovative capacity.

Meanwhile, the zone has also accelerated intelligent reconstruction and digital transformation among local enterprises.

"Digitalization and intellectualization are the future of any business," said Cao Caihong, president of Jiangsu Rutong Petroleum Machinery Co Ltd, "We will further explore the application of digital information and other technologies to oil drilling equipment and production this year."

Cao added they will further improve production efficiency and lower costs to enhance competitiveness.

Rutong currently ranks first in domestic market share and third in overseas market share in oil drilling and production equipment and tools.

The Rudong Economic Development Zone has also been creating a favorable business environment in recent years to encourage more entrepreneurs to start businesses in the zone.

In the first half of this year, the zone secured several projects worth more than 100 million yuan ($14.6 million), including three projects with an investment of over 1 billion yuan.