Weifang, Shandong province. [Photo/IC]

Weifang, a major manufacturing hub in East China's Shandong province, is stepping up its drive to join China's trillion-yuan GDP club after posting solid economic growth in the first half of the year. 

The city's gross domestic product reached 432.05 billion yuan ($63.83 billion) in the first six months, up 5.8 percent year-on-year, 1.1 percentage points above the national growth rate, according to a press conference on the city's economic performance held on July 27.

The conference also outlined the city's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) for economic and social development. Xie Zhaocun, mayor of Weifang, said the period will be crucial for the city as it seeks to surpass the one-trillion-yuan GDP milestone and strengthen its role as a regional sub-center in Shandong province.

Weifang's economy has demonstrated strong resilience in the first half of the year, with major economic indicators growing steadily, said Xie. 

The city's total output of agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry and fisheries reached 71.14 billion yuan during the first six months of the year, up 4.3 percent year-on-year, maintaining its position as Shandong's largest agricultural producer. 

In addition, the city added 96 industrial enterprises above designated size during the period, while the value-added industrial output of such enterprises rose 8.3 percent year-on-year, the second-fastest growth rate in the province. 

Weifang also stepped up efforts to expand its presence in overseas markets by encouraging local companies to participate in international trade fairs. From January to June, 1,872 enterprises took part in 131 overseas exhibitions. 

The city's total foreign trade reached 206.24 billion yuan in the first half of the year, up 9 percent year-on-year, with trade with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Africa increasing by 25.9 percent and 14 percent, respectively.