China's gross domestic product reached 69.6 trillion yuan in the first half of the year. In real terms, the economy expanded 4.7% year on year, keeping it on track to meet the government's full-year growth target, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
Compared with the same period last year, GDP increased by 3.6 trillion yuan, marking the largest half-year increase in five years.
Analysts say the shift from traditional growth drivers to new ones accelerated during the period. Industries powered by these emerging drivers maintained strong growth and are playing an increasingly important role in the economy.
Often described as "China Opportunity 2.0," the country's growth model is shifting away from the traditional formula of abundant labour, a massive consumer base and world-class infrastructure that made China the world's factory. Instead, innovation and advanced manufacturing are becoming the new engines of growth.
High-end industries, including lithium-ion batteries, robotics and other smart products, contributed more than 40% of China's economic growth in the first half.
AI-related manufacturing expanded by around 30%, supported by strong global investment in artificial intelligence and data centres, creating new opportunities for Chinese computing hardware manufacturers.
Guangdong, China's largest trading province, offers a clear example of this transition.
Its foreign trade surpassed 5 trillion yuan in the first half for the first time.
Data shows that Guangdong’s high-end manufacturing continues to demonstrate strong international competitiveness.
In the first half of the year, exports of drones, high-end machine tools, and industrial robots grew by 24.6%, 20.1%, and 16.8% respectively. Among these, drone exports accounted for 94.8% of the national total, and 3D printer exports made up 88.5%, according to the provincial branch of the General Administration of Customs of China.
In Shenzhen alone, AI-related trade exceeded 1 trillion yuan, rising more than 50% year on year.
The emerging opportunity is no longer just about manufacturing products, but about delivering the capability to commercialise technologies rapidly, scale production efficiently and continuously improve products—an advantage that could shape the next industrial revolution.
Reporter: Xie Hongzhou
Cameraman: Xie Hongzhou
Video & Poster: Guo Hongda
