As of Jan 15, at least 26 of China's 31 province-level regions had published their 2019 GDP data and annual growth targets for 2020 in their government work reports.

Shanghai's GDP is estimated to have grown by over six percent in 2019, according to a government work report delivered at the municipality's annual legislative session on Jan 8, 2020.

Additionally, in the report, the city forecasts its GDP growth in 2020 at around six percent, which also drew everyone's attention.

Shanghai focuses on high-quality economic development

Shanghai is striving to establish itself as an international economic, financial, trade and shipping center and to put in place the framework of a center of innovation in science and technology with global influence, according to the report. 

It will use its overall stability and sustained economic momentum as leverage to become a role model of China's ongoing reform and opening-up. The city will make full use of its special industries including an expansion of the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone, the launch of a science and technology innovation board at the Shanghai Stock Exchange and its piloting of a registration system for listed companies, as well as its role in the integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta region.

Guangdong, Jiangsu GDPs estimated at over 10t yuan in 2019

Guangdong and Jiangsu are estimated to have generated over 10 trillion yuan ($1.45 trillion) with their respective GDPs for the first time in China. 

Comparatively, in 2018, Shanghai's GDP was 3.26 trillion yuan, exceeding $20,000 per capita. Having undergone a six percent growth rate, Shanghai's GDP will total about 3.46 trillion yuan in 2019.

In 1949, Shanghai's GDP was 3.67 billion yuan, and it had been ahead of other Chinese provinces for many years. In 1978, its GDP accounted for 1/8 of the national total, and its financial support to the whole country lived up to its reputation as the "eldest son" of China. After the reform and opening-up, the whole country scrambled for development. Shanghai still ranked first, but its proportion was lower -- in terms of the GDP of the whole country in 2019, Shanghai's share fell to less than four percent.

Shanghai being surpassed by other provinces has become a common phenomenon, which demonstrates China's vitality and rapid economic development.