The Yangtze River Delta has emerged as a leader in China's economic landscape, with 35 of its 41 cities surpassing the national GDP growth average of 5.4 percent in the first quarter of 2025, according to official data reported on by Zhejiang Daily on Thursday.

Shaoxing in Zhejiang province, posted the region's fastest growth at 7.2 percent in the first quarter, with GDP reaching 200.9 billion yuan ($27.75 billion). Close behind were Zhoushan—also in Zhejiang—and Wuhu in neighbouring Anhui province, each recording a 7.1 percent increase.

A key driver behind Shaoxing's strong economic performance was its robust industrial sector. In the first quarter, the city's industrial output from major enterprises rose 12 percent year-on-year to 55.4 billion yuan. The surge was underpinned by rapid expansion in high-tech and advanced manufacturing. Output in the computer, communications, and other electronic equipment sector jumped 21.3 percent.

Wenzhou in Zhejiang grew by 6.7 percent and Xuzhou in Jiangsu by 5.9 percent in the first quarter. Their GDP reached 240.37 billion yuan and 225.17 billion yuan, respectively. According to estimates, both cities' GDPs will surpass one trillion yuan at the end of this year, according to the report.