Nanchong inks nine major projects online

An online investment signing and promotional event is held on Mar 3 in Nanchong, Southwest China's Sichuan province. [Photo provided to China Daily]

An online investment signing and promotional event was held on Mar 3 in Nanchong, Southwest China's Sichuan province, where nine major projects inked, according to local officials.

Amid the novel coronavirus epidemic, the event was held screen-to-screen via a live broadcast -- instead of a physical meeting -- for the first time in the city.

More than 800 entrepreneurs and heads of business associations participated.

During the online event, a total of 100 key investment projects were introduced, with total investment of 280 billion yuan ($40.4 billion).

The projects involve industries including the automobile and auto parts sector, petroleum and natural gas chemicals, logistics, agriculture, electronic information, new materials and urban construction.

Representatives from nine counties, cities and districts in Nanchong signed the cooperation agreements with nine companies from cities and provinces -- including Beijing, Shenzhen, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Hubei and Zhejiang.

Business leaders were invited to give speeches to the online event.

"Through the event, we would like to show our firm determination to win the battle against the epidemic as well as continue economic and social development," said local officials.

They added that they were confident of achieving new progress in opening up to the outside world.

During the live broadcast, officials also responded to issues of public concern including the current situation of epidemic prevention and control, policies for economic development and specific measures for opening up.