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Seventeen towns from Jiaxing, East China's Zhejiang province, have made it to the 2025 Top 500 National Township Economies list, announced at the recent China Township Economy Innovation and Development Forum. 

This achievement places Jiaxing second in Zhejiang and highlights the city's thriving local economies.

Located in the Yangtze River Delta region, Jiaxing benefits from its proximity to Shanghai, Hangzhou, Suzhou, and Ningbo. Towns like Zhapu and Dushangang use their coastal locations to enhance port logistics and drive industrial growth.

An aerial shot of Zhapu port area in Jiaxing. [Photo/ WeChat account: jxfabu]

Zhapu ranked 56th nationally and first in Jiaxing, with an industrial output of 106 billion yuan ($14.79 billion) in 2024. Dushangang reported a GDP of 15.6 billion yuan, establishing itself as a key logistics hub.

Jiaxing's towns are leveraging specialized industries for growth. Daqiao Town focuses on microelectronics and smart manufacturing, with a 2024 industrial output of 60.5 billion yuan. Xucun Town is a center for textile innovation, while Yuxin and Xindai towns are advancing in low-altitude aviation and artificial intelligence.

Night scene of Yuxin town in Jiaxing. [Photo/ WeChat account: nanhufabu]

Towns like Wuzhen and Xitang have transformed heritage into economic drivers. Wuzhen's blend of tourism and the digital economy, showcased at the 2024 World Internet Conference Wuzhen Summit, offers a model of sustainable development. Xitang attracted over 12 million tourism trips in 2024, aided by cultural events like the Hanfu Festival.

A photo of Xitang Ancient Town in Jiaxing. [Photo/WeChat account: jxfabu]

Jiaxing's towns, with their high-speed connectivity, diverse industries, and rich cultural heritage, demonstrate how small communities can fuel regional prosperity. Their success illustrates the growing impact of township economies on China's future development.