Jiangsu is one of the provinces which started off earlier and quicker in establishment of development zones in China.

By the end of 1996, there are 74 development zones of all kinds in Jiangsu Province approved by the State Council and provincial government.

Among them, 11 are the state-level development zones with the approvals of the State Council namely Nantong, Lianyungang, Kunshan economic and technological development zones; Zhangjiagang Free Trade Zone; Nanjing, Suzhou, Wuxi and Changzhou new and hi-tech development zones; Suzhou and Wuxi Taihu tourist resorts; and Suzhou-Singapore Industrial Park. Sixty-three are provincial-level economic development zones, port development zones, tourist resorts and export-oriented agricultural comprehensive development zones with the approval of the provincial government.

In 1996, there were 3, 344 newly approved projects established in these development zones including 688 foreign invested enterprises. The contracted amount of foreign investment is US$ 5.965 billion, 55.5% of the total contracted amount of foreign investment in Jiangsu. Actual utilization of foreign fund is US$ 2.755 billion, 50% of the actual utilization of foreign fund in Jiangsu.

By the end of 1996, 10573 enterprises had already put into operation. Among them 1902 are foreign invested enterprises while the domestic enterprises are 8671. The total income of industrial products sales and the sales income from the enterprises of the primary and tertiary industries is RMB 119.6 billion yuan.

The area exploited and being exploited is 200 square km. The accumulated investment in infrastructure construction is RMB 23.16 billion yuan. The average investment for per square km is RMB 115.80 million yuan.