The second session of the 16th Nantong Municipal People's Congress commences on Jan 6. [Photo provided to nantong.gov.cn]

The GDP of Nantong in East China's Jiangsu province is expected to reach 1.15 trillion yuan ($170.19 billion) in 2022, up 2.5 percent year-on-year, according to the latest government report delivered at the second session of the 16th Nantong Municipal People's Congress, which was held on Jan 6.

The city's investment in research and development accounted for 2.7 percent of its GDP, its investment in fixed asset totaled 410 billion yuan, and its imports and exports grew 7.2 percent year-on-year.

The per capita disposable incomes of urban and rural residents last year amounted to 59,950 yuan and 30,790 yuan, up 4.6 percent and 5.7 percent year-on-year, respectively.

In 2022, Nantong rolled out measures to stabilize production. Eight hundred enterprises in the city saw an increased output value of 150 billion yuan and manufacturing businesses received tax credit refunds valued at 29.51 billion yuan, ranking third in Jiangsu.

The city also published 10 measures to promote employment last year. It helped 110,000 people find jobs and 23,000 people start businesses.

The environment in Nantong also improved in 2022, with the concentration of PM 2.5 being reduced to 25.9 micrograms per cubic meter, the lowest in Jiangsu, and the percent of days with good air reaching 80.8 percent.

This year, Nantong is aiming for a 5.5 percent increase in GDP. In addition, investment in R&D is expected to account for 2.75 percent of GDP and the natural environment is expected to continue improving.