China's gross domestic product (GDP) for the first half of the year reached 69.57 trillion yuan, representing a year-on-year increase of 4.7% when calculated using constant prices, according to data released on July 15.

The accelerated growth of new economic drivers was a prominent feature of the economic performance during this period. In the first half, the value-added of industrial enterprises above a designated size grew by 5.4% year-on-year. Within this, the value-added of the equipment manufacturing sector, high-tech manufacturing, and the information transmission, software, and information technology services sectors increased by 9.3%, 13.3%, and 10.7%, respectively.

Looking at specific products, the output of 3D printing equipment, lithium-ion batteries, and industrial robots surged by 48.5%, 39.3%, and 28.0% year-on-year, respectively.

Furthermore, investment in intellectual property products rose by 9.4% year-on-year, further highlighting the trend of economic development shifting towards new and higher-quality sectors.

The structure of foreign trade continued to improve. In the first six months, the total value of goods imports and exports increased by 16.9% year-on-year. Exports grew by 13.4%, while imports saw a more substantial rise of 22.1%. Trade with countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative grew by 14.8%.