This year marks the 40th anniversary of China's reform and opening-up. Harbin, capital city of Heilongjiang province, has enjoyed the fruits of economic and social achievements over the 40-year period. Now, it boasts a diversified industrial base, with equipment manufacturing, food, pharmaceutical, petrochemical industries as its pillar industries. In the past 40 years, Harbin’s economic development experienced the following four stages.
The social adjustment stage (1978-1980)
The gross domestic product (GDP) of Harbin reached 4.57 billion yuan, with an average annual growth of 7.8 percent in three years. The per capita GDP increased from 505 yuan to 576 yuan, with an average annual growth of 5.4 percent in three years.
The steady growth stage (1981-1992)
In 1992, Harbin’s GDP reached about 24.73 billion yuan and per capita GDP reached 2,792 yuan (about $506.3 according to that year’s exchange rate).
Harbin solved the problems of food and clothing for local residents.
The rapid growth stage (1993-2012) —— achieving overall well-off quality of life
Harbin’s GDP reached 400 billion yuan in 2011, which has maintained double-digit growth for 20 years.
In 2012, Harbin’s GDP reached 455.02 billion yuan, with per capita GDP of 45,810 yuan, disposable income of urban and rural residents reaching 23,538.8 yuan and 9,468.9 yuan respectively and the Engel coefficient of urban and rural residents 32.9 percent and 39.4 percent respectively. Harbin successfully achieved overall well-off this year.
Quality of life development stage (2013—) ——building a well-off middle-class socialist society
Harbin continues to accelerate the modernization of industry and promoting economic development over the period.
In 2017, Harbin’s GDP reached 635.6 billion yuan with per capita GDP reaching 66,301 yuan.