Highlights of 2017

GDP: In 2017, Fujian's GDP reached some 3.23 trillion yuan ($467 billion), up 8.1 percent year-on-year. Its GDP per capita was 83,000 yuan, ranking it sixth in China. In the first half of this year, the province maintained stable economic growth, with its GDP and fixed assets investments increasing 8.2 percent and 13.4 percent, respectively.

Industries: Last year, the added value of the high-tech industry in Fujian province was up 12.5 percent. The added value of the service industry including logistics, finance, tourism accounted for 45.6 percent of the province's GDP. In total, 40 3A logistics enterprises were added and the added value of logistics grew by 9 percent. The tourism industry's revenue increased 29.2 percent thanks to the profound influence of its "Refreshing Fujian" tourism brand. This emerging industry has shown an upward trend of development with its industrial value surpassing 327.1 billion yuan, accounting for 11.5 percent of the province's GDP.

Infrastructure: By the end of 2017, Fujian was operating 3,300 kilometers of railway, including 1,570 kilometers of high-speed railway. At the ports, 520 million tons of cargo was loaded and unloaded, with container throughput reaching 16 million TEUs.

Innovation: Fujian boasts more than 2,600 technological innovation platforms. The province also implemented its first batch of 18 innovation and reform measures across the region. Its electronic-certificate sharing initiative was listed as a demonstration project for the country's "internet plus and e-government service". The scale of the province's digital economy and its information integrated index all ranked among the top in the nation.

Opening-up: Last year, the import and export revenue of Fujian reached more than $171 billion, up 9.1 percent year-on-year, with export revenue at $104.9 billion, a 1.2 percent year-on-year increase. The province is home to 2,041 foreign-aided enterprises with about 57.3 billion yuan of foreign capital invested, up 8.2 percent year-on-year. It built a core area to expand economic and cultural ties with the countries and regions involved in the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road and now has 30 associated projects worth $2.29 billion in investment. The province is on 138 international container-ship trade routes and is connected to the world with 53 international flights.

Poverty alleviation: Last year, Fujian lifted 200,000 people out of poverty and relocated 112,000 people in poverty-stricken areas. The number of new jobs in cities and towns reached 604,900. Percapita disposable income in urban areas was 39,001 yuan in 2017, up 8.3 percent year-on-year. The figure in rural areas was 16,335 yuan, up 8.9 percent year-on-year.

Environmental protection: Fujian has some 89,266 hectares of trees with forest coverage of 65.95 percent, ranking first in China. The province's sewage treatment rate in cities and counties, and treatment rate of domestic refuse reached 91 percent and 97.5 percent respectively.

(China Daily 10/09/2018 page12)