Kunshan Economic and Technological Development Zone was approved as state-level economic development zone in August 1992. 
 
Geographical Location
KETDZ lies to the east of Kunshan City, which is in the southeast of Jiangsu Province and situated on the Taihu Plain within the Yangtze River Delta, adjoining the cities of Changshu and Taicang in the north and northeast, Shanghai in the south and southeast, and Wujiang and Suzhou in the west.

Climate
mild and humid, the local climate is typical of the northern subtropical under the influence of the south monsoon. It has distinct four seasons and abundant sunshine and rainfall. The yearly average rainfall is 1447 milimeters and temperature 17.6 centigrade.

Communication and Transportation
Located in the east of Yangtze River Delta in the southeast coast of China, KETDZ is only 50 kilometers west of Shanghai and 37 kilometers east of Suzhou.

Airport
It takes one half hour to travel 45 kilometers by car from KETDZ to Shanghai Hongqiao Airport and 1 hour to cover the distance of 100 kilometers to Shanghai Pudong Airport.

Harbor
KETDZ is 60 kilometers away from China's biggest port, Port Shanghai, 100 kilometers from Port Zhangjiakang and 35 kilometers from Port Liujiagang in Taicang enabling direct export by sea transportation after the goods arrive at the above-mentioned ports through rivers in the area.

Railway
With cargo and passenger stations, the Beijing-Shanghai Railway runs through the Zone.

Road
The Shanghai-Nanjing expressway, a highway to the airport and National Highway 312 traverse across the zone.

Human Resources
Three institutions of higher learning including Guihu University, 32 middle schools and 3 vocational schools are now sited in Kunshan. The South China School to enroll the children of Taiwan businessmen is newly established. The campuses of Kunshan University is under construction and Taiwan Minxin University of Science and Technology has been set up here. The city of Kunshan boasts a team of over 5,000 experts in a variety of fields and 200,000 skilled technical workers.

Investment Priorities
IT industry: computer and related accessories, electronic components including semi conductors, micro- and photo-electronic products, software, network, automobile electronic products and telecommunications equipment.

Precision machinery: centering on auto parts and components, the production of machinery that is mechanically and electrically integrated, environment-friendly and energy efficient equipment as well as large-scale dies and die carrier, and the industrial extensions thereof.

Service industry: modern logistics, banking and finance, insurance, tourism, accounting and auditing.

Biotechnology: life science, biomedicine, etc.

Consumer goods: light industry, textiles, specialty foods, etc.

Agricultural produce processing: processing of agricultural and non-staple produce, e.g. vegetables, cut flowers, livestock and poultry, and cold storage and warehousing.

Traditional industries that are environmentally friendly and feature high-tech input are also welcomed.

Administration Committee
Tel: 86-512-57313838
Fax: 86-512-57313888
Email: ketd@ketd.gov.cn
Website: http://www.ketd.gov.cn/english/index.asp

(Source: Ministry of Commerce)

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