Exports, upgrading power up expansion in first half

Chongqing and Guangdong roar ahead in rankings

Export-oriented provinces and municipalities sustained high-speed growth in the first half, while regions relying on smokestack industries, though still lagging behind, have gradually gathered pace as economic structures improved.

Chongqing registered 10.5 percent year-on-year growth in the first six months, top among 25 of the 31 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities to have released official economic data as of Wednesday.