Story of Nantong (Volume XIX): Social development

Social development refers to improvement in education, science and technology, culture, health, and other activities organized by government agencies or other organizations for public welfare.

Since the launch of the reform and opening-up policies, Nantong authorities have been following the people-centered principle and increased investment in improving the wellbeing of local residents. In recent years, the proportion of public financial budgets spent on improving the wellbeing of local residents has exceeded 55 percent.

Remarkable progress in education

Known as "the hometown of education", Nantong has always attached great importance to culture and education. It has formed a modern education system that includes preschool, compulsory, vocational, adult, and higher education.

The number of colleges and universities in Nantong increased from four in 1985 to eight in 2021, and the number of students increased from 4,000 to 138,900. In 2021, Nantong was home to 582 kindergartens, 348 primary schools, 166 junior middle schools, 41 high schools, seven special education schools, seven higher vocational colleges, 26 secondary vocational and technical schools, and nine universities for the elderly.

Since the 1990s, Nantong's basic education has been leading Jiangsu and even the country, and its college entrance examination scores have topped the province for many years.

New milestones in technology innovation

Since the reform and opening-up policies were launched, Nantong has deepened the reform of the science and technology system, increased investment in those fields, and enhanced its innovative ability. From 2016 to 2020, the output of high-tech industries in the city accounted for 43.5 percent of the total output of industrial enterprises above designated size.

Nantong is home to 2,370 high-tech enterprises, and has built an innovation center consisting of the Nantong Innovation Zone, high-tech zones and industrial parks, attracting more high-end innovation platforms and entrepreneurial talent.

Outstanding cultural achievements

With the further reform of the cultural system, Nantong has made significant cultural achievements and formed an environment for free and diversified cultural development.

By the end of 2021, Nantong had had 29 museums (memorial halls), 11 public libraries, and four public art museums. Nantong has become a member of the Alliance of Cities for the Protection of the Maritime Silk Road and the Joint Declaration of World Cultural Heritage.

All-around development in health care

Nantong has fully implemented national and provincial decisions to deepen the reform of the medical and health system and build a modern medical and health system through better allocation of resources, improved service capabilities, and comprehensive development of health care.

By the end of 2021, Nantong had housed 3,492 health institutions. It has built a medical treatment alliance featuring clinics, communities, and families, promoted a family doctor contract service, and gradually improved the hierarchical diagnosis and treatment system.

Practices such as early prevention and early treatment, financial assistance, and diagnosis and treatment before payment, have been promoted to prevent families from falling into poverty because of disease.

The average life expectancy of local residents in Nantong has increased significantly, reaching 83.16 years in 2020.

Editor-in-chief: Yu Lei

Editor: Wang Yun

Photo by Gu Yao

Translated by Wang Haifei from the Shanghai Waiyuan Translation Agency