In the first half of the year, China's economy showed stability and significant progress across various sectors, laying a strong foundation for future growth.
China's gross domestic product (GDP) grew 5.3 percent year on year in the first half of 2025, reaching approximately 66.05 trillion yuan (about 9.24 trillion U.S. dollars), according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) released on Tuesday.
The tertiary industry expanded 5.5 percent year on year in the first half, outpacing a 3.7 percent increase in the primary industry and a 5.3 percent increase in the second industry.
In terms of quarterly performance, GDP grew by 5.4 percent year on year in the first quarter and by 5.2 percent in the second quarter.
In the first half of the year, summer grain production remained stable and abundant, while industrial output experienced rapid growth.
China's value-added industrial output of enterprises above the designated size grew by 6.4 percent year-on-year, staying consistent with the first quarter.
The service sector saw a value-added increase of 5.5 percent, accelerating by 0.2 percentage points from the first quarter.
Market sales rebounded, with total retail sales of consumer goods growing by 5 percent year on year, and fixed asset investment continued to expand.
The contributions to economic growth from final consumption expenditure, capital formation, and net export of goods and services were 52 percent, 16.8 percent, and 31.2 percent, respectively.
The value added in the equipment manufacturing and high-tech manufacturing sectors grew faster than the overall industrial average by 3.8 and 3.1 percentage points, respectively.
There's been a strong focus on blending technological and industrial innovation, leading to rapid development of new industries, new technologies, and new business models. In the first half of the year, the value added in high-tech industries increased by 9.5 percent, reflecting a faster buildup of new growth drivers.
"The overall economic performance in the first half of the year has been stable, with progress and improvement, representing a significant achievement. This success is especially noteworthy given the dramatic changes in the international landscape and the rising external pressures since the second quarter. Looking ahead, we will strengthen our confidence, stay focused, continue to manage our own affairs well, and steadfastly promote high-quality economic development," said Sheng Laiyun, deputy director of the NBS.
China's economy shows strong stability and progress in H1
