Guangzhou's economy grew 5.7 percent year on year in the first nine months of 2026, outpacing growth in both Guangdong Province and China as a whole, according to data released by the city on October 26.
The city's gross domestic product (GDP) reached 2.4851 trillion yuan from January to September, calculated at constant prices, according to the latest economic figures compiled under Guangdong's regional GDP accounting system.
The primary sector grew 2.4 percent year on year, the secondary sector 5.1 percent and the tertiary sector 5.9 percent.
Industrial production remained steady, with value added at industrial enterprises above the designated size rising 5.5 percent. The city's three pillar industries—automobile manufacturing, electronics manufacturing and petrochemicals—grew 5.4 percent, 10.7 percent and 5.3 percent, respectively.
Production of new energy vehicles surged 54.6 percent, while output of automotive lithium-ion batteries rose 57.8 percent. Value added in biopharmaceutical and medical equipment manufacturing increased 23.7 percent and 16 percent, respectively.
In the electronics sector, value added in integrated circuit and optoelectronic device manufacturing rose 64.8 percent and 21.1 percent, respectively. Output of industrial and service robots grew 23.3 percent and 20.5 percent, respectively.
From January to August, the service sector also expanded, with revenue at service enterprises above the designated size up 11.6 percent. Revenue in leasing and business services rose 25.7 percent, while scientific research and technical services grew 8.6 percent, and internet, software and information technology services increased 10.4 percent.
Retail sales of consumer goods increased 2.5 percent. Online retail sales of physical goods rose 9.1 percent, while online catering revenue grew 18.4 percent. Retail sales of clothing, footwear and headwear climbed 25.8 percent, and sales of new energy vehicles and communications equipment rose 23.6 percent and 12.9 percent, respectively.
Fixed-asset investment edged up 0.6 percent, with investment in high-tech manufacturing increasing 31.5 percent and industrial technological upgrades rising 15.1 percent. Real estate development investment fell 8.8 percent, while infrastructure investment declined 5.6 percent.
Passenger traffic rose 7.9 percent to 291 million trips. Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport handled 67.09 million passengers, up 9.8 percent year on year, while rail passenger traffic increased 14.6 percent. Freight volume reached 706 million metric tonnes, up 0.8 percent, and port container throughput rose 4 percent.
Value added in the financial sector grew 8.2 percent. At the end of September, outstanding domestic and foreign currency deposits and loans at financial institutions totaled 19.28 trillion yuan, up 5.3 percent year on year. Manufacturing loans rose 10.1 percent, while lending to software and information technology services increased 34.8 percent.
Author | Liu Xiaodi
Photo | Nanfang Daily
