Beijing's GDP up 5.4% in H1 with boost from AI, robots

Beijing's economy experienced steady growth in the first half of 2026, with its GDP reaching 2.6 trillion yuan ($384.2 billion), up 5.4 percent from the same period last year.

AI and robotics played a major role in this growth, according to a report by Beijing News on Monday.

The impact of the AI boom was evident in the city's industrial sector, as industrial output above designated size increased by 3.4 percent year-on-year. The integrated circuit industry saw remarkable growth, jumping 92.1 percent, the report said.

Additionally, the production of service robots more than doubled and industrial robots saw a 75.5 percent rise, highlighting Beijing's focus on high-tech manufacturing.

Investment in technology and innovation has been a priority for Beijing, with substantial increases in equipment purchases and high-tech manufacturing investments. The city saw a 14.3 percent rise in equipment investment — mainly in AI and integrated circuits — and a 36 percent increase in high-tech manufacturing investments.

On the employment front, Beijing's urban surveyed unemployment rate remained stable at 4.1 percent, while residents' per capita disposable income increased by 4.8 percent to 47,290 yuan.