(CFP Photo)

Suzhou's technology companies made new strides in 2022, according to the government work report delivered at the second session of the 17th Suzhou People's Congress that opened on January 7.

The value of technology transactions exceeded 80 billion yuan last year, highest in Jiangsu Province. Suzhou added 9 more single-product champion enterprises in the manufacturing sector and 5,531 new high-tech enterprises. The number of small and medium-sized technology enterprises reached 22,300, surpassing 20,000 for first time.

In 2022, Suzhou achieved a GDP of 2.4 trillion yuan. The city completed fixed asset investment of 577 billion yuan, up 2%, and the industrial investment and spending on infrastructure increased by 6.5% and 10% respectively. The total retail sales of social consumer goods exceeded 900 billion yuan, maintaining first place in the province, and the foreign trade amounted to 2.59 trillion yuan, an increase of 2%.

The per capita disposable income of urban and rural residents reached 79,500 yuan and 43,700 yuan respectively, and their income ratio narrowed to 1.82:1. Suzhou also kept its title as a happiest city in China.

The report said Suzhou added 1,180 hectares of protected wetlands in 2022 and placed more than 70% natural wetlands under protection. The city also created 200,000 new jobs and 99% of people surveyed said they feel safe.