Country on pace to hit GDP target

Some areas, including Tianjin, lagging because of debt burdens

Many eastern and central provinces had relatively stable economic growth in the first half of the year, while some regions struggled to find new growth drivers given their long-standing local government debt burdens.

A total of 11 municipalities and provinces - including Beijing, Shanghai and Sichuan province - saw faster economic growth than the national average over the period, according to the latest regional data.