The core equipment of a hydrogen liquefaction plant developed by the company that produces 10 tons of liquid hydrogen per day, the first of its kind in China, recently passed the first review meeting before the trial operation, Wei said.

The city is also home to several leading hydrogen production companies, such as Jiangsu Huachang Chemical Co Ltd. and Oriental Energy, with a maximum annual supply capacity of 200,000 metric tons of hydrogen.

Zhangjiagang will strive to attract more than 50 hydrogen energy companies by 2025, with an annual output value of over 20 billion yuan, local officials said.