Wenzhou city has applied to the mainland securities watchdog to list its infrastructure arm overseas, according to Mayor Qian Xingzhong.
Mr Qian yesterday said that although the city government had increased investment in basic infrastructure facilities and public utilities, it could not satisfy the demand stimulated by the rapid economic development.
Last year, 85 per cent of Wenzhou's electricity output was purchased outside.
In the first half of this year, Wenzhou's gross domestic product rose 12.5 per cent from a year ago, above the national average of 7 per cent.
Wenzhou, in coastal Zhejiang province, boasts a booming private sector, which accounted for 84.8 per cent of its GDP last year.
Mr Qian declined to elaborate on the potential listing.
It is understood the listed vehicle will take the Wenzhou Bridge as its top asset and the city's urban public utilities will be included.