On July 2, Jiang Xiaoqun, President of the China Construction Industry Association, along with Vice President and Secretary-General Jing Wan and Comprehensive Department official Liu Pengcheng, paid a visit to Nantong for a symposium. The event was attended by Li Zhen, Deputy Director-General of the Jiangsu Provincial Department of Housing and Urban–Rural Development; Geng Yuhua, President of the Jiangsu Construction Industry Association; Sun Zhongjian, Vice President and Secretary-General of the association; and Shen Weixing, President of the Nantong Construction Industry Association, among others. The visit and symposium were held in the headquarters conference room of Nantong Fourth Construction Group, where Zhang Xiangyang, Chairman of the Group, represented construction enterprises and delivered remarks.

             At the outset of the symposium, President Jiang Xiaoqun pointed out that China’s development has transitioned from rapid industrialization to “Made in China” and from rapid urbanization to “Built in China.” Today, the construction industry has entered a phase of stock‑based development, with key indicators showing a downward trend, and the traditional housing and municipal engineering sectors facing profound structural adjustments. Since completing its leadership transition, the China Construction Industry Association has consistently regarded serving as a bridge and link as its core mission. By conducting in‑depth visits and fostering close coordination with local authorities and construction firms, it promptly gathers accurate insights into the industry’s actual operating conditions, as well as the concerns and pressing challenges of its member enterprises, and relays this information to higher‑level regulatory bodies. In doing so, it helps advance the refinement and improvement of relevant policies, regulations, and legal frameworks, thereby effectively assisting enterprises in addressing critical, time‑sensitive issues.
            Deputy Director Li Zhen welcomed President Jiang Xiaoqun and his delegation on their visit to Jiangsu for research and fact-finding. He noted that Jiangsu’s construction industry has long maintained a leading position nationwide, with a pronounced outward‑oriented development profile, and that its achievements would not have been possible without the sustained attention and support of the China Construction Industry Association. The Jiangsu Provincial Department of Housing and Urban–Rural Development will work in concert with the provincial construction industry association to continue pioneering and experimenting, consolidate Jiangsu’s first‑mover advantages in the sector, deliver more high‑quality construction projects, and deepen research and explore innovative pathways to advance industry reform and development.
             Geng Yuhua, President of the Jiangsu Provincial Construction Industry Association, and Shen Weixing, President of the Nantong Municipal Construction Industry Association, respectively presented updates on the work being carried out by their respective provincial and municipal industry associations.
             Chairman Zhang Xiangyang delivered a comprehensive address on the current state of corporate operations, industry pain points, transformation pathways, and policy demands. Drawing on the prevailing market conditions, he objectively analyzed the threefold challenges confronting the sector: first, the industry as a whole is in a downturn, with intensifying competition and steadily shrinking profit margins; second, central state-owned enterprises are continuously expanding into lower-tier markets, further squeezing the operating space of private construction firms; and third, certain regions maintain local protectionist barriers, increasing obstacles to cross‑regional business activities.
             Chairman Zhang Xiangyang stated that, at this stage, Nantong Construction Group has adopted “ensuring survival and pursuing development” as its core strategic objective, formulating a clear development roadmap grounded in the company’s actual conditions. First, the Group is firmly committed to the eight-character business guideline of “shrinkage, cost reduction, capability building, and going global,” precisely optimizing its domestic regional market layout, rigorously controlling operating costs, strengthening its internal management foundation, and vigorously implementing an international expansion strategy to offset downward pressure in the domestic market. Second, the Group steadfastly upholds “two principles”: it remains unwavering in its commitment to the construction industry while refraining from reckless cross‑industry diversification; and it coordinates the synergistic development of both domestic and international markets. Third, the Group rigorously adheres to the “two comprehensives” management requirements: it has comprehensively established a major risk prevention and control system to effectively identify and mitigate significant operational risks, and it has fully implemented refined management practices, leveraging lean management to unlock economic benefits.
             Chairman Zhang Xiangyang put forward four recommendations for the high-quality reform and development of the construction industry: First, he urged governments at all levels and relevant industry authorities to accelerate the establishment of a unified national market for the construction sector, breaking down regional barriers and eliminating local protectionism. Second, he called for sustained efforts to address the issue of delayed payments in construction projects, establishing and improving long-term mechanisms for preventing and resolving such delays, thereby safeguarding market order and the legitimate rights and interests of construction enterprises. Third, he advocated deepening institutional and systemic reforms in the construction sector—on the one hand, by standardizing the conduct of all market participants and strengthening regulatory oversight; on the other, by promoting and implementing the “dual‑guarantee” system of payment guarantees and performance bonds to foster the sound and sustainable development of the construction market. Fourth, he emphasized the need to strengthen policy support for construction firms expanding overseas, refining complementary measures in areas such as overseas financing, market access, and risk mitigation related to international operations.
            President Jiang Xiaoqun listened attentively to Chairman Zhang Xiangyang’s remarks and fully commended Nantong Construction Group for its pragmatic measures in proactively confronting industry challenges and vigorously pursuing transformation and breakthroughs. He stated that the China Construction Industry Association will systematically collate the difficulties faced by construction enterprises and the policy recommendations gathered at this symposium, continue to ensure smooth communication channels between businesses and relevant industry authorities, and better fulfill its role as a bridge and link, thereby helping construction firms advance steadily and sustainably on the path of transformation and change.