A aerial view of Suzhou-Nantong Bridge across the Yangtze River. (CFP)

Jiangsu’s GDP reached more than 9.77 trillion yuan in the first three quarters of this year, achieving a 5.7% year-on-year increase, according to the data released by the provincial Bureau of Statistics on November 6.

Among the province’s 13 cities with subordinate districts, Suzhou ranked first with a GDP of nearly 1.85 trillion yuan, followed by Nanjing and Wuxi with over 1.3 trillion yuan and 1.1 trillion yuan, respectively. With strong capabilities in technological innovation, industrial upgrading, and urban development, these three cities were the first to surpass the trillion-yuan GDP milestone this year.

Nantong ranked fourth with a GDP of over 941.4 billion yuan during the same period, while Changzhou and Xuzhou reported over 700 billion yuan and 600 billion yuan, respectively, contributing significantly to Jiangsu's economic growth.

In terms of GDP growth rate, Huai’an led with a 7% increase, followed by Suqian at 6.9% and Nantong at 6.3%.