Top three GDP provinces in 2009

Guangdong, Jiangsu, and Shandong, the top three provinces in GDP volume, faced great challenges in 2009. Nevertheless, the economic growth rates of each province was over the national average.

The GDP volume of Guangdong, Jiangsu, and Shandong all surpassed 3.3 trillion yuan... achieving a growth of 9.5 percent, 12.4 percent, and 11.9 percent respectively over last year countering an average 8.5 percent growth rate nationally. The financial crisis starting at the end of 2008 affected Guangdong and Shandong, carving a "V" shape in the economic growth chart for the year... while that of Jiangsu was running relatively stable.

Investment was a key factor common to all three provinces in fighting the crisis and realizing economic gains. Total investment in fixed assets of Guangdong, Jiangsu, and Shandong reached about 1.34 trillion, 1.88 trillion, and 1.90 trillion yuan respectively.

Government officials from the three provinces said that economic restructuring will be a priority of 2010 in order to establish a foundation for future development.