China's GDP grew five percent year on year in 2024, reaching a record of 134.91 trillion RMB (18.77 trillion USD) and meeting the government's full-year target, according to the latest data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

　　Despite mounting external pressure and domestic difficulties, China successfully achieved the major targets set for 2024, NBS head Kang Yi said.

　　Industry-wise, the added value of the primary industry was 9.14 trillion RMB, an increase of 3.5 percent over the previous year. The added value of the secondary industry was 49.21 trillion RMB, up by 5.3 percent year on year. The added value of the tertiary industry was 76.56 trillion RMB, up by five percent year on year.

　　Looking into the detailed data, advanced technologies are becoming a more important economic engine. In the secondary industry, the added value of high-tech manufacturing increased by 8.9 percent over the previous year. In terms of products, the output of new energy vehicles, integrated circuits, and industrial robots increased by 38.7 percent, 22.2 percent and 14.2 percent year on year respectively.

　　Investment in high-tech industries increased by 8.0 percent over the previous year, of which investment in high-tech manufacturing and in the high-tech service industry increased by 7.0 percent and 10.2 percent year on year respectively.

　　In terms of the high-tech manufacturing industry, investment in aviation, spacecraft and equipment manufacturing, and computer and office equipment manufacturing increased by 39.5 percent and 7.1 percent year on year respectively.

　　In the high-tech service industry, investment in professional and technical services and the transformation of sci-tech achievements increased by 30.3 percent and 11.4 percent year on year respectively.

　　On a quarterly basis, the GDP grew by 5.3 percent year on year in the first quarter, 4.7 percent in the second quarter, 4.6 percent in the third quarter and 5.4 percent in the fourth quarter.

　　These achievements were "hard-won" despite various difficulties and challenges.

　　Domestically, consumer spending growth remained modest, some enterprises faced operational difficulties, and risks in certain sectors continued to be a concern, while globally, geopolitical conflicts and rising protectionism added to the complexities already faced by the economy.

　　China has unveiled a package of incremental policies in a timely manner, which helped boost confidence and economic growth, Kang said, adding that China will continue to promote sustained recovery of its economy.