China's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2003 grew 9.1 percent over the previous year, reaching 11.6694 trillion yuan (US$1.4 trillion).

The growth rate was the highest since 1997, said Li Deshui, commissioner of the National Bureau of Statistics, at a press conference held by the Information Office of the State Council Tuesday.

With the average per capita GDP reaching 1,090 US dollars, the achievement was a hard-won successful one after the outbreak of the severe acute respiratory (SARS) epidemic and frequent natural disasters, he said.

The added value of the primary industry grew 2.5 percent to 1, 724.7 billion yuan, and the growth rate was 0.4 percentage points lower than that in 2002.

The added value of the secondary industry was 6,177.8 billion yuan, up 12.5 percent. The growth rate was 2.7 percentage points higher than that in 2002.

The added value of the tertiary industry was 3,766.9 billion yuan, up 6.7 percent. The growth rate was 0.8 percentage points lower than that in 2002.

According to Li, the GDP growth was 9.9 percent in the first quarter, 6.7 percent for the second quarter, 9.6 percent for the third quarter after being revised from the previously released figure of 9.1 percent, and 9.9 percent for the fourth quarter.

(Xinhua News Agency January 20, 2004)