From January to November 2024, Suzhou's output of industrial enterprises above a designated size reached 4.27 trillion yuan ($582.18 billion), marking a year-on-year increase of 4.7 percent. The added value of industries above the designated size grew by 9.1 percent, while industrial investment rose by 11 percent, demonstrating steady progress in the city's new-type industrialization.
Suzhou. [Photo/IC]
Regarding industrial foundation enhancement, Suzhou has deepened the integration of artificial intelligence (AI), earning approval to establish a national pilot zone for AI-enabled new-type industrialization. Additionally, it was recognized as a national pilot city for technological transformation in manufacturing, with 1,422 such projects launched between January and November.
Suzhou added three national advanced manufacturing clusters in modern industrial system development: high-end scientific instruments, the Yangtze River Delta (including Jiangxi) large aircraft, and southern Jiangsu special steel materials. This brings Suzhou's total number of national advanced manufacturing clusters to six, the highest in Jiangsu. Additionally, Wujiang district's optical fiber and cable cluster was selected as a national specialized industrial cluster for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
The city also made significant progress in integrating its digital and real economies. In 2024, Suzhou established 33 provincial-level smart factories, 224 provincial-level smart workshops, and one provincial-level benchmark enterprise for intelligent and digital transformation. Suzhou added seven national industrial internet pilot demonstration projects. It was selected as one of China's first pilot cities for large-scale application of the Beidou navigation system in industrial and information technology sectors.
The continued inclusion of Hengli Group, ShengHong Holding Group Co, and Jiangsu Shagang Group in the 2024 Fortune Global 500 list further highlighted Suzhou's industrial development. The city now hosts 47 industrial enterprises or groups, each with annual revenues exceeding 10 billion yuan, accounting for 23.5 percent of Jiangsu's total, ranking first in the province.
In 2024, Suzhou added 206 nationally recognized specialized, refined, differential, and innovative (SRDI) "little giant" enterprises, ranking third nationwide and first in Jiangsu. It also secured 10 new single-product champions in manufacturing, bringing the total to 43, the highest in the province. Furthermore, Suzhou identified 2,866 new innovative SMEs, bringing its cumulative total to 13,460, laying a solid foundation for the reserve pool of SRDI enterprises.
Looking ahead, Suzhou will continue to focus on advancing new-type industrialization and strengthening its real economy. The city aims to establish itself as a global leader in intelligent manufacturing, contributing to Chinese modernization.