A robot runs on a street near West Lake in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, on Aug 19. [Photo/IC]

Zhejiang province released its performance report on Sept 26 as the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) enters its final year, highlighting advances in economic strength, industrial upgrading, living standards, and green development.

Officials said per capita GDP rose from $14,600 in 2020 to $19,000 in 2024 and is expected to surpass $20,000 this year. In the first half of 2025, the private sector contributed more than 67 percent of provincial GDP, over 70 percent of tax revenue, more than 80 percent of imports and exports, 85 percent of jobs, and 90 percent of enterprises.

Zhejiang has fostered five industrial clusters, covering textiles and apparel, green petrochemicals, high-end software, smart connectivity, and new energy vehicles. Production of new energy vehicles reached more than 920,000 units in 2024, a 12-fold increase from 2020.

Zhejiang, designated as China's only pilot zone for common prosperity, reported steady income growth. In 2024, urban and rural per capita disposable income ranked first nationwide for the 24th and 40th consecutive years, respectively. The urban-rural income ratio narrowed from 1.96 in 2020 to 1.83.

To strengthen business vitality, the province rolled out a 32-point package for the private sector, encouraging State-owned enterprises to act boldly, private firms to innovate, and foreign investors to increase their presence.

Cultural influence also expanded. The Hangzhou Asian Games and Asian Para Games showcased Zhejiang on the world stage. International events such as the World Internet Conference Wuzhen Summit and the Liangzhu Forum enhanced the province's global visibility.

Meanwhile, the video game Black Myth: Wukong became a global phenomenon. Cultural and related industries accounted for 7.2 percent of GDP.

Green development remained a defining feature. On the supply side, Zhejiang expanded nuclear, solar, and offshore wind power, with renewable energy capacity surpassing thermal power for the first time, rising nearly 20 percentage points over five years.

On the consumption side, the province advanced energy-saving and carbon reduction, with coal consumption about 15 percentage points lower than the national average. One-third of electricity consumption now comes from renewable sources.