TO THE POINT: China achieved its development goals in 2009, as reflected in the strong economic data released by the National Bureau of Statistics on January 21. The GDP was 33.5 trillion yuan ($4.9 trillion) in 2009, growing 8.7 percent year on year. The fallout of Japan Airlines' declaration of bankruptcy triggered anxieties among domestic airlines whose market share was also challenged by fierce international competition and high-speed railways. The domestic economic recovery was also mirrored in the robust performance of booming Internet businesses.

By LIU YUNYUN

National Economy in 2009

Last year was one of the most difficult periods for China's economic development in the new century. Facing the global financial crisis, the government implemented a proactive fiscal policy and moderately loose monetary policy to fully implement and improve its stimulus packages. These efforts stopped the economy from sliding too far into negative territory and eventually allowed the national economy to recover quicker than anticipated.

According to preliminary estimates, the gross domestic product (GDP) for 2009 was 33.5 trillion yuan, up 8.7 percent. In terms of growth by quarters, it was up 6.2 percent for the first quarter and 7.9 percent, 9.1 percent and 10.7 percent for the second, third and fourth quarters, respectively.

Agriculture

Agricultural production continued to develop steadily, increasing for the sixth consecutive year. In 2009, the total output of grain reached 530.82 million tons, an increase of 0.4 percent over the previous year.

Industry

Industrial production picked up on a quarterly basis, as profits reversed their sharp declines. In 2009, the added value of industrial enterprises above the designated size (all state-owned enterprises and non-state enterprises with annual sales revenue exceeding 5 million yuan) was up 11 percent from 2008. In the first 11 months of 2009, the profits made by industrial enterprises above the designated size reached 2.6 trillion yuan, up 7.8 percent over the same period of last year.