The National Bureau of Statistics of China published a communiqué "Statistical Communiqué of the People's Republic of China on the 2008 National Economic and Social Development" Thursday. Following is the full text:
Statistical Communiqué of the People's Republic of China on the 2008 National Economic and Social Development
National Bureau of Statistics of China February 26, 2009
In 2008 under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC), Central Committee and the State Council, people of all nationalities of China, taking as the guidance of Deng Xiaoping Theory and the important thought of "Three Represents", implemented earnestly the scientific approach to the economic and social development. They united as one with indomitable spirit to fight against grave natural disasters and international financial crisis, and the national economy kept fast growth and all social undertakings achieved new progress.
I. General Outlook
In 2008, the gross domestic product (GDP) was 30,067.0 billion Yuan, up by 9.0 percent against the previous year. Analyzed by different industries, the value added of the primary industry was 3,400.0 billion Yuan-- up by 5.5 percent-- the secondary industry was 14,618.3 billion Yuan-- a rise of 9.3 percent-- and the tertiary industry was 12,048.7 billion Yuan, up by 9.5 percent. The value added of the primary industry accounted for 11.3 percent of the GDP, up by 0.2 percentage point over that of the pervious year, the secondary industry accounted for 48.6 percent, up by 0.1 percentage point, and the tertiary industry was 40.1 percent, down by 0.3 percentage point.
 |
|
Graphics shows the figure of Gross Domestic Product of China and its growth from 2004 to 2008 issued by National Bureau of Statistics of China on Feb. 26, 2009. (Xinhua/National Bureau of Statistics of China) |
The general level of consumer prices in China was up by 5.9 percent against the previous year. Of this, the prices for food went up by 14.3 percent and the investment prices in fixed assets were up by 8.9 percent. The producer prices for manufactured goods increased by 6.9 percent, of which the prices for means of production increased by 7.7 percent and the subsistence grew by 4.1 percent. The purchasing price for raw materials, fuels and power went up by 10.5 percent. The producer prices for farm products were up by 14.1 percent. The prices for means of agricultural production were up by 20.3 percent. The sales prices for housing in 70 large and medium-sized cities were up by 6.5 percent, of which new residential buildings went up by 7.1 percent, second hand housing grew by 6.2 percent, and the prices for rental and leasing were up by 1.4 percent.
 |
|
Graphics shows the figure of changes in consumer prices in China from 2004 to 2008 issued by National Bureau of Statistics of China on Feb. 26, 2009.(Xinhua/National Bureau of Statistics of China) |
 |
|
Graphics shows the figure of year-end China's foreign exchange reserves from 2004 to 2008 issued by National Bureau of Statistics of China on Feb. 26, 2009.(Xinhua/National Bureau of Statistics of China) |
At the end of 2008, the total number of employed people in China was 774.80 million, 4.90 million more than that of 2007. Of this, 302.10 million people were employed in urban areas, a net increase of 8.60 million and newly increase of 11.13 million. The urban unemployment rate through unemployment registration was 4.2 percent at the end of 2008, an increase of 0.2 percentage point against 2007.
By the end of 2008, China’s foreign exchange reserves reached 1,946.0 billion US Dollars, an increase of 417.8 billion US Dollars as compared with that at the end of the pervious year. At the end 2008, the exchange rate was 6.8346 RMB to 1 USD, an appreciation by 6.9 percent against the end of 2007.
 |
|
Graphics shows the figure of tax revenue and its growth in China from 2004 to 2008 issued by National Bureau of Statistics of China on Feb. 26, 2009. (Xinhua/National Bureau of Statistics of China) |
The taxes collected in the whole year reached 5,786.2 billion Yuan (excluding tariffs, farm land taxes and deed taxes), up by 17.0 percent or an increase of 841.3 billion Yuan over 2007.
 |
|
Graphics shows the figure of output of grain from 2004 to 2008 in China issued by National Bureau of Statistics of China on Feb. 26, 2009.(Xinhua/National Bureau of Statistics of China) |