Tai'an in Shandong province saw its gross domestic product (GDP) grow 3.6 percent year-on-year in the first half of this year, hitting 159.24 billion yuan ($23.5 billion), according to a news conference on the city's economic and social development held on Aug 17.

The added value of Tai'an's primary, secondary and tertiary industries totaled 21.21 billion yuan, 58.48 billion yuan and 79.55 billion yuan, respectively, in the first six months, with an increase of 5.4 percent, 5.1 percent, and 2.1 percent.

The added value of industries above designated size increased 8.6 percent year-on-year in the first half of this year, and 10 industries posted a growth rate of over 20 percent.

The 13 industrial chains that are key to the construction of a new industrialized city achieved a total operating revenue of 121.52 billion yuan, an increase of 9 percent year-on-year. The added value of the city's equipment manufacturing and high-tech manufacturing sectors increased 31.6 percent and 81.2 percent, respectively.

Tai'an also saw robust consumption during the same period. The city's total retail sales of consumer goods reached 54.84 billion yuan, an increase of 2.8 percent year-on-year, ranking first in the province. Its retail sales in automobile and home appliances sectors increased 76.8 percent and 106.7 percent to 1.48 billion yuan and 190 million yuan, respectively.

In addition, as Tai'an's tourism industry has accelerated its recovery since June, the number of tourists visiting the Mount Tai scenic area has returned to about 10,000 people per day.

Tai'an's foreign trade also posted a fast growth in the first half of this year. The city's total import and export value hit 15.77 billion yuan, growing 42.6 percent year-on-year. Its exports surged 69 percent to 13.24 billion yuan. In addition, the city's actual use of foreign capital jumped 92.8 percent to $358 million during the same period.

During the first six months, the per capita disposable income of urban and rural residents amounted to 22,011 yuan and 12,439 yuan with an increase of 3 percent and 5.1 percent, respectively.