Japan-based THK is to build an automobile parts production base in Changzhou National Hi-Tech District, Jiangsu province. The plant, which will cost US$15m to construct in the initial stage, is expected to be operational in February 2012.

The district is building an auto industrial park that will include R&D centres, parts production bases and auto assembly lines principally for new energy vehicles.

Elsewhere in Jiangsu, the Hong Kong-based polysilicon and wafer supplier GCL-Poly Energy Holdings is to invest Rmb2bn in a photovoltaic project in Yangzhou Economic Development Zone. The plant is designed to have an annual output capacity of 2GW of silicon chips and is expected to generate more than Rmb10bn in output value a year.