In the 1990s, historian Tang Degang proposed the renowned "Three Gorges of History" theory, likening historical transitions between societal phases to the perilous passage of river waters through the Three Gorges—a bottleneck of challenges. Just as civilizations undergo such transformative phases, so do cities. Nanjing, a cultural capital with over 2,500 years of history and profound imperial heritage, stands as a key witness to China's past. Known as the "Ancient Capital of Six Dynasties" and "Metropolis of Ten Regimes," it has also cultivated a unique commercial culture, leveraging its strategic position bridging east-west and north-south trade routes, along with dual river-sea port functionality. Jiangning District epitomizes this dynamism. As Nanjing’s largest administrative area by size, GDP, and population, it has ranked among China’s top 10 industrial and innovation districts for five and three consecutive years, respectively, and is a national leader in investment competitiveness—a microcosm of Nanjing’s economic vitality.
Amid today’s economic landscape, cities face a universal question: how to sustain growth? Industry, as the vessel of productivity, anchors Nanjing’s "top-priority project" of building a robust industrial economy. In recent years, the city has focused on constructing a "4266" industrial system, fostering clusters of high-tech industries brimming with creativity and imagination. This exemplifies China’s urban transition from traditional to new growth drivers. Like a ship navigating sheer cliffs, Nanjing is steering through its transformative "Three Gorges," toward a future of boundless potential.
Historically, Nanjing’s Jiangning district was synonymous with luxury textiles, home to one of imperial China’s three official weaving bureaus. Today, propelled by advanced manufacturing and innovation, the city is forging a new identity in "smart manufacturing." SAIC Maxus’s Nanjing plant in Jiangning High-Tech Zone is a prime example. As the first Chinese automaker globally recognized as an Industry 4.0 "Lighthouse Factory," it pioneers intelligent C2B customization, supporting billions of personalized configurations via its proprietary "Spider Smart Selection" system. This model has not only made SAIC Maxus a standout in China’s auto sector but also redefined customer-centric production.
Such innovation is no outlier. In Jiangning Development Zone, Jiangsu Daoda Intelligent Technology’s cleanroom showcases OHT (Overhead Hoist Transport) systems shuttling along ceiling tracks—a scene reminiscent of sci-fi. These systems, critical for semiconductor wafer handling, were long monopolized by Japanese firms until Daoda broke through with its self-developed Kirin OHT, boasting cutting-edge control and energy-supply technologies. Valued at a luxury sedan per unit, Daoda’s systems now serve semiconductor, FPD, and new energy sectors, positioning it as a rare domestic provider of smart-factory solutions.
Nanjing’s ascent in high-end manufacturing is further powered by clusters like Estun, Inovance, Kyland, Yijiahe, and Geek+, each advancing niche technologies. As essayist Zhu Ziqing once wrote, "Exploring Nanjing is like browsing an antique shop, with traces of eras everywhere." Beyond its storied past, Nanjing’s Jiangning also holds a lesser-known legacy in medicine. Since the Ming Dynasty, its rare herbs like "Xiakucao" were imperial tributes, and its master pharmacists were revered nationwide. Today, this heritage fuels a biotech boom.
Jiangsu Aosaikang Pharmaceutical, rooted in one of Jiangsu’s earliest private drug R&D institutes, exemplifies this. A leader in oncology and digestive treatments, Aosaikang recently gained approval for Li’aitinib (brand: Aoyixin), a precision therapy for non-small cell lung cancer—the year’s first Class 1 innovative drug approval in Jiangsu. Nearby, Chia Tai Tianqing’s Nanjing Shunxin Pharmaceuticals has launched 10 biologics, including bevacizumab and trastuzumab biosimilars, backed by cutting-edge production lines like China’s first 10,000L single-use antibody facility.
Nanjing’s biotech prowess extends to firms like Ningdan Pharma (FDA breakthrough-designated stroke drug), Triastek ($1.2B drug-delivery deal), and Frontier Biotech (Aikening® in national HIV guidelines). The city’s formula for crossing the "Three Gorges" of industrial transition lies in its robust ecosystem: dense talent pools, research resources, and policy support fostering R&D and commercialization.
In strategic planning, McKinsey’s "Three Horizons" framework applies equally to cities. Nanjing’s growth hinges on stabilizing core industries, nurturing emerging sectors, and pioneering future fields. Institutions like the Nanjing Institute of Life and Health (backed by national and provincial grants) and HuaRui Smart Valley’s robotics hub—home to humanoid-joint innovator Inx and six-axis force-sensor pioneer Shenyuansheng (supplier to Tesla’s Optimus)—embody this vision.
As Tang Degang theorized, emerging from the "Three Gorges" heralds an era of clarity and promise. Nanjing, through its trident strategy—fortifying traditional strengths, accelerating new drivers, and seizing next-gen opportunities—is scripting its renaissance in the tech-industrial revolution. The city’s journey mirrors a nation’s: arduous yet destined for open waters.