The manufacturing sector has emerged as a significant fulcrum for economic growth in Huzhou, East China's Zhejiang province, according to official statistics.

The latest data released by the Zhejiang provincial department of economy and information technology showed that the proportion of the manufacturing industry in the city's gross domestic product (GDP) in 2020 reached 40 percent, 7.3 percent higher than the provincial average. 

The city's manufacturing sector has witnessed robust growth in recent years due to sustained efforts in pursuing industrial transformation and upgrading.

The optimized industrial structure has reshaped the traditional manufacturing pattern in sectors like high-end equipment, new materials, life sciences, and health, leading to a notable increase in industrial output.

The added value of strategic emerging industries, high-tech industries, and equipment manufacturing industries in Huzhou surged by 11.9 percent, 8.2 percent, and 11.3 percent respectively in 2020.

Huzhou has made it a goal to develop itself into a strong manufacturing hub in the nation during the 14 Five-Year Plan (2021-25) period.

Efforts are set to be made to foster 10 characteristic industrial clusters in the city, including new energy vehicles and key parts, Beidou geographic information, logistics equipment, high-end metal structure materials, biomedicine, modern cosmetics, as well as children's clothing, according to local officials.