Tech leads province's economic comeback

Jilin province's economy has really made a comeback, its GDP growing by 6.9 percent in the first three quarters, 0.2 percentage points higher than the national average. Regional GDP reached 929.8 billion yuan ($135.98 billion). This marks the first time since the first quarter of 2014 that Jilin's GDP growth exceeded that of the national average.

In the past three quarters, Jilin's economic growth has been stable and rising. The output growth of major industries has witnessed a rise of 6.4 percent year-on-year, and that of the service industry rose 8.5 percent. Regional GDP contribution saw a growth of 3.1 percentage points year-on-year.

While Northeast China has been under the pressure of an economic downturn, Jilin has taken a progressive approach in revitalizing major industries and developing advantageous ones.

Throughout the process of restructuring its industry, Jilin has given rise to a number of industrial projects with remarkable development potential. Changchun New Area's Beihu Scientific and Technological Development Zone, for example, is constructing a photoelectric and intelligent manufacturing industrial park planned to span one million square meters. Presently, 21 hightech companies have settled down in the park.

"I'm glad there is a cluster forming in this area, we will not be working alone anymore," said Sun Shangyong, general manager of Yongli Laser Technology Ltd.

The photoelectricity industry park is an example of Jilin's strength in its planned revitalization and potential. Jilin expects an output of 20 billion yuan from this industry park by the end of 2020.

In the first three quarters of this year, Jilin's strategic innovative industry grew by 8.2 percent, 1.8 percentage points higher than that of its other major industries. Hightech industries grew by 11.3 percent year-on-year, 4.9 percentage points higher than that of other major industries.

(China Daily 11/18/2016 page6)