Changchun, capital city of Northeast China's Jilin province, saw a rise in its GDP of about 7 percent during 2018 –– the same growth rate it has maintained for three consecutive years.

The growth rate is twice that of Tianjin, and 10 times that of Japan. It not only leads the growth rate of the Northeast China region, but also outpaces that of Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and the national average.

Meanwhile, fixed asset investment in Changchun increased by 7 percent; and the output value of strategic emerging industries increased by 159 percent.

Over the past year the city has witnessed significant investment in small and medium-sized tech firms.

In 2018, 315 new national high-tech enterprises and 283 small and medium-sized science and technology enterprises were established; and the turnover of technology contracts reached 323.5 billion yuan ($48.27 billion), an increase of 52 percent.

In addition, emerging industries such as optoelectronic information technology, biological medicine, new energy, new materials and big data witnessed rapid growth.

Cars manufactured by Changchun-based China FAW Group Corporation pictured at a Spring Festival promotional event in the city. [Photo/CCTV]

The auto production line of China FAW Group Corporation [Photo/China Daily]

Trains manufactured by China Changchun Railway Vehicles Co Ltd pictured in its warehouse. [Photo/China Daily]