Yantai reports 6% economic growth in 2019

The coastal city of East China's Shandong province saw steady progress in promoting local economy in high-quality development in 2019.

Chen Fei, the mayor of Yantai, made the statement on Jan 10 when delivering a government work report at the fourth session of the 17th Yantai municipal people's congress.

Chen highlighted several significant achievements the local government has made over last year. The city's gross domestic product (GDP) rose around 6 percent, while its general public budget revenue increased to 59.5 billion yuan ($8.5 billion).

Last year, Yantai made efforts to improve the livelihoods of its residents. The per capita disposable income of urban and rural residents reached 48,061 yuan and 20,999 yuan, up 7.1 percent and 8.1 percent respectively.

A total of 100 projects in education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation were launched. The city's expenditure on people's livelihoods was 57.8 billion yuan, accounting for 74.6 percent of financial expenditure.

Yantai also has made progress in reform and opening-up. The newly-built Yantai area of the China (Shandong) Pilot Free Trade Zone has been a major boom in this regard and has attracted 46 foreign-investment companies.

The city was approved by the State Council as a cross-border e-commerce pilot zone in 2019, boosting the development of its e-commerce industry.

The passenger throughput of the Yantai international airport exceeded 10 million for the first time in 2019, joining the ranks of larger airports.

Chen also announced the development targets for 2020. The local government will continue to promote the upgrading of its industries, push forward with reform and opening-up and strive for high-quality development.