The construction of nine projects with a combined investment of 18.1 billion yuan ($2.68 billion) in Taicang, a county-level city in East China's Jiangsu province, started on Jan 31. 

The projects are related to industries like new energy and aerospace. 

Among these, a $300-million project funded by Schaeffler, will be focused on the research and development, manufacturing, as well as sales of new energy vehicles driving parts. 

When the project is put into operation, Schaeffler's annual output would double, according to local authorities.  

In addition, seven projects with a combined investment of 3.98 billion yuan were put into operation on the same day. 

The projects, which are related to semiconductors and high-end equipment manufacturing, are expected to generate an annual output of 7.7 billion yuan. 

Among these, a 980-million-yuan research center funded by Suzhou Gongjin Microelectronics Co Ltd was put into use, which will greatly increase the company's output. 

Authorities will make efforts to attract more high-quality projects this year, aiming to sign deals worth more than 36 billion yuan. In addition, Taicang has set the goals of having the industrial output of enterprises above designated size exceed 140 billion yuan and for fixed investments to surpass 28 billion yuan.