Ma Jiantang, Director of the National Bureau of Statistics, unscrambled China's 2012 economic and social statistical data with at a press conference held by the State Council Information Office on January 18, 2013. In 2012, the overall national economic performance was becoming stable, and economic and social development realized stable acceleration of development.

GDP Up by 7.8 Percent

GDP: According to preliminary accounting, China's gross domestic product (GDP) was 51,932.2 billion yuan in 2012, a year-on-year increase of 7.8 percent at comparable prices. Specifically, the year-on-year growth was 8.1 percent in the first quarter, 7.6 percent for the second quarter, 7.4 percent for the third quarter and 7.9 percent for the fourth quarter. GDP rose 2 percent in the fourth quarter of 2012.

Agricultural Production Went Up Steadily

The total grain output in 2012 was 589.57 million tons, an increase of 18.36 million tons, up by 3.2 percent, which was an increase for nine consecutive years.

Industrial Production Becoming Stable

The total value added of the industrial enterprises above designated size in 2012 was up by 10 percent at comparable prices or 3.9 percentage points lower than that in the previous year.

In the first eleven months of 2012, profits made by industrial enterprises above designated size stood at 4,662.5 billion yuan, up by 3 percent year-on-year.

Investment in Fixed Assets Maintained Rapid Growth

In 2012, investment in fixed assets (excluding rural households) was more than 36.48 trillion yuan, a growth of 20.6 percent (a real growth of 19.3 percent after adjusting for inflation) which was 3.4 percentage points lower than that in the previous year.

Sales on Domestic Markets Enjoyed a Steady Growth

In 2012, the total retail sales of consumer goods reached nearly 20.72 trillion yuan, a nominal annual rise of 14.3 percent (a real growth of 12.1 percent after adjusting inflation) , or 2.8 percentage points lower than that in the previous year. The growth of consumer prices fell back. In 2012, consumer prices went up by 2.6 percent, which was 2.8 percentage points lower than that in the previous year.

Urban and Rural Residents' Income Increased Steadily

In 2012, the per-capita total income of urban households was 26,959 yuan. Specifically, the per-capita disposable income of urban households was 24,565 yuan, the nominal growth was 12.6 percent, or a real growth of 9.6 percent after adjusting for inflation, which was 1.2 percentage points higher than that in the previous year. The per-capita net income of rural households was 7,917 yuan, up by 13.5 percent, or 10.7 percent in real terms, which was 0.7 percentage points lower than that in the previous year.

Development with four Stabilities and Quality with Four new progresses

● The "four stabilities" indicate that the economic and social development in 2012 was becoming stable:

— Overall national economic growth was generally stable;

— Employment enjoyed steady growth;

— Consumer prices were generally stable;

— Agricultural production was further consolidated.

● "The four new progresses show that national economic quality in 2012 improved:

— Economic restructuring made new progress;

— Scientific innovation made a new breakthrough;

— People's living enjoyed new improvements;

— Energy saving and pollution reduction obtained new results.