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Greener Cleaner Richer; 2016 PM2.5 Down Again & Other Indicators

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New data released by the Nanjing Municipal Government has revealed 2016 figures that show the extent of Nanjing’s growth, on economic, social and cultural levels, that cement the city’s reputation as one of China’s urban leaders, in many areas trailing only Beijing and Shanghai.

Or so the authorities would have us believe. The data, however, speaks for itself, and the Chinese government is way above the manipulation of raw figures. Therefore, on this level, the new information paints a pretty accurate picture.

2016 saw Nanjing’s GDP break the trillion yuan barrier for the first time, amounting to ¥1.05032 trillion, up 8 percent on the previous year.

Bringing prominent growth in benefit to Nanjing’s people, per capita disposable income in 2016 stood at ¥44,009, an increase of 8.8 percent, more than the regional GDP growth. Social security has been steadily improved, with a minimum income guaranteed in both urban and rural areas, while the basic pension remains on the rise. In addition, 224,200 new jobs were created in the urban area.

The financial industry added value of more than ¥120 billion in 2016, an increase of 14 percent, accounting for 11.8 percent of the city’s GDP, while according to the “2016 China Urban Financial Competitiveness Index Report”, Nanjing’s financial competitiveness is ranked fifth in the country, behind those of Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Guangzhou.

In industry, Nanjing continues its move away from its traditional, and often dirty pillars. Under seven main categories, 14 types of emerging industries generated an income of ¥680 billion in 2016, among which the six sectors of new display, Internet of Things, information and communication equipment, smart grid, new materials, energy conservation and environmental protection, accounted for more than ¥100 billion each.

With its reputation as an ancient world literary fulcrum, Nanjing’s comprehensive strength in science and technology is now ranked third in China, second only to Beijing and Shanghai. The city has 53 universities and colleges, while in the 2018 QS World University Rankings, Nanjing University is ranked 114. Spending on R&D amounted to ¥32 billion, accounting for 3 percent of GDP, similar to that of developed countries.

When it comes to one our favourites, namely transportation, in 2016, Nanjing Lukou International Airport realised a passenger throughput of 22.35 million passengers, exceeding 20 million for the first time, while cargo throughput totalled 341.2 thousand tons. Elsewhere, the city’s construction of public transportation continues unabated, and with Line S3 due to open in the next month, annual subterranean passenger capacity now stands at 832 million, while 63 percent of individuals in the urban area utilise public transportation.

In the area with perhaps the best news of all, environmental protection, the average concentration of PM2.5 in 2016 decreased 16.3 percent over the previous year. In 2015 there was a 23 percent reduction, implying that PM2.5 levels in Nanjing have been reduced by almost 40 percent since 2014.

It is well known that Nanjing is a green city. Now you can tell your friends just how green. City afforestation stood at 4,448 acres in 2016, representing an urban green coverage rate of more than 44.75 percent.

The takeaway of these latest figures is of course that Nanjing is a pretty nice place to be in 2017, a feeling perhaps shared by many of us that has now been welded into unshakeable fact.

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