In the first half of the year, Yubei District, Chongqing Municipality took measures to accelerate economic and social development. As a result, the local economy kept up steady and fast growth.

Data released from Liaojiang New Area's ninth plenary (enlarged) meeting showed that in the first half of the year, the total valued added from industrial enterprises reached 145.6 billion yuan ($23.6 billion), of which the output value of the auto industry accounted for half as of $ 81.2 billion yuan. Noticeably, Changan Automobile showed an increase up by 40.4 percent against the downward trend for three consecutive months.

The notebook computer industry enjoyed steady growth. Profits stood at 33.8 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 33 percent, accounting for 23 percent of the gross industrial output value. The situation in the equipment manufacturing industry was good with an output value of 14.2 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 10 percent. Total imports and exports reached 136 billion yuan, an increase of 123.4 percent compared with the same period last year.

From January to June this year, automotive retail sales in Yubei district achieved 15.3 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 25 percent, or 9 percentage points higher over the same period last year. Total sales of commodities reached 43.7 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 10.5 percent. Jiangbei International Airport's passenger throughput reached 14.06 million passengers, an increase of 17 percent compared with last year. Cargo throughput achieved 140,000 tons, a year-on-year increase of 11 percent. Total highway freight volume reached 13 million tons, an increase of 5 percent and the total waterway freight volume reached 2 million tons, an increase of 21 percent compared with the same period last year.

Laijiao, district mayor of Yunbei district said that in the second half of the year, the district will promote key projects including the northern extension of the light rail Line 3, airport expressway, Tongmao circuit, Lijia Garden tunnel and other municipal projects. The government will also speed up the implementation of the data hub in Xiantao Valley to ensure next year in May the first batch of companies can get settled in.

Other policies include accelerating the existing industrial upgrading of Taiwan Industrial Park, and Shipan River Business District, enhancing the image of the city along the Airport Road; actively coordinating with relevant municipal departments to complete the International Logistics Distribution Center construction plan as soon as possible and supporting the IPOs of 20 key new products including Chang'an CS75.

By Huang Pei

Edited by Brian Salter