The 4th Session of the 14th Zhanjiang Municipal People's Congress opened at the Zhanjiang International Convention Center on Jan 17.

Mayor Jiang Jianjun, on behalf of the Zhanjiang Municipal People's Government, delivered a work report reviewing the progress made in 2017 and setting goals for 2018.

Over the past year, Zhanjiang registered a gross regional product of 285 billion yuan ($44.3 billion), a year-on-year increase of 7.7 percent. The added value of industries above designated size increased by 9 percent to reach 83.3 billion yuan.

Meanwhile, Zhanjiang has invested 164.2 billion yuan in fixed assets, up 7.2 percent. Total retail sales of consumer goods surpassed 157.9 billion yuan at a jump of 10.2 percent. The total import-export volume rose by 10 percent to 34 billion yuan.

Also on the rise were general public revenues and per capita disposable income of Zhanjiang residents, which increased by 21 and 9.3 percent to reach 13.5 billion yuan and 19,596 yuan respectively. The registered urban unemployment rate was kept below 3.5 percent.

Ushering in a new era, Zhanjiang will continue to press ahead with the modernization of transportation, implementation of its countryside revitalization strategy and transformation of its industrial structure. While improving people's livelihoods, it will extend the scope of opening-up for a more external outlook.

It is estimated that the gross regional product of Zhanjiang will grow by 7.5 percent or even 8 percent in 2018. The added value of industries above designated size and fixed-asset investment should increase by 9 and 10 percent respectively. And the total export-import volume is set to witness a ride of 7 percent.

Implementation of the 2017 plan for national economic and social development and the 2017 budget was examined at the meeting, and resolutions for execution of 2018 draft plans were approved.