North China's Shanxi province had been committed to promoting high-quality development and deepening economic transformation in 2024, achieving stable economic performance.

Last year, Shanxi emphasized innovation as the primary driving force behind its economic development, and advanced the integrated development of education, technology, and talent development, boosting the province's national ranking in innovation capacity by five places.

Meanwhile, efforts were made to upgrade traditional industries, cultivate emerging industries, and strategically layout future industries. Notably, the revenue of the 16 key provincial industrial chains and 18 provincial characteristic professional towns increased by 16.2 percent and 13.9 percent, respectively.

The province also focused on the clean and efficient use of coal and the implementation of "green energy+" initiatives. The number of intelligent coal mines reached 268, the proportion of new and clean energy installed capacity surpassed 50 percent, and unconventional natural gas production exceeded 16.5 billion cubic meters, marking significant progress toward the establishment of a new energy system.

Aiming to develop cultural tourism into a strategic pillar industry and a sector for promoting public well-being, Shanxi enhanced tourism infrastructure and public service systems. The province saw a 16.9 percent increase in tourists and an 11.3 percent rise in operating income at key monitored scenic spots.

Efforts were also made to promote people's livelihood, with a focus on employment, education, healthcare, social security, elderly care, and childbirth services, leading to a steady increase in residents' income, with rural income growth consistently outpacing urban areas.

This year, Shanxi will further deepen reforms, expand high-level opening-up, build a modern industrial system, and promote the integration of technological and industrial innovation, so as to continually improve people's living standards.